http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/12/01/loophole-could-allow-transgender-troops-serve-military/19727703/

Definitely something that bears watching.

Can someone explain to me what this is about? Seems like " the Pentagon has gotten out of the business of deciding when service members are fit or unfit for duty" is directly contradicted by "the change to the instruction does not mean the Pentagon has altered its policy prohibiting service by transgender individuals."

Quote from: suzifrommd on December 01, 2014, 06:36:56 PM
Can someone explain to me what this is about? Seems like " the Pentagon has gotten out of the business of deciding when service members are fit or unfit for duty" is directly contradicted by "the change to the instruction does not mean the Pentagon has altered its policy prohibiting service by transgender individuals."

Very good question. I'm not sure how it's going to play out. I do know there are a lot of trans vets who are pushing for open service for trans.

The sky didn't fall when DADT was repealed. I haven't heard a single thing about negative effects to unit morale or the Mission.

It looks like you have to be performing at a sub-par level to be discharged rather than merely being discharged for being transgender.  That's how I read it.

Quote from: PPatrice on December 22, 2014, 12:45:24 AM
Perhaps tg/ts activists should redouble their efforts to have GID/GD removed from diagnostic manuals? 

No, no, no, no, no.

We DO have a medical condition and we DO need medical treatment. Last thing I want is my endo to tell me he's not prescribing hormones because I have no recognized medical condition he can treat.

We are NOT like homosexuals. Homosexuals do not need medical treatment. We do.

I think the main issue is being able to be openly transgender. In my opinion being able to seek counseling is huge. Right now if you out yourself then the command is notified and you get an administrative discharge. Even a Chaplain or military counselor is required to notify the command. Many want to continue serving, but it is difficult not being able to talk to anyone.

Quote from: Wynternight on December 01, 2014, 01:50:01 PM
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/12/01/loophole-could-allow-transgender-troops-serve-military/19727703/

Definitely something that bears watching.

I never understood what the issue was for this.  I mean... it's a combat setting.  Everybody is dressed the same and nobody wears make-up.  Aside from physical differences in some of the recruits, how would they even know and, if they do, why does it matter?

Not all of the time is spent on deployment or in a combat zone. They estimate that 15,000 servicemembers are transgender. If their commands got wind of them being transsexual, they would be administratively discharged and could be treated poorly until their discharge. That is a lot of highly trained, highly skilled people that our nation spent a lot of time and money training. They should at least have the right to continue serving if they wish, and have access to some sort of counseling. It seems wrong to me that a person can get a DUI and be forced into alcohol counseling and continue to serve, but if a man shows up with a little bit of eyeliner (that stuff is really hard to get off!) he could be kicked out.