Discharged Transgender Veteran Goes Viral: 'I Fought for Your Right to Hate Me'

http://www.towleroad.com/2015/11/discharged-transgender-veteran-goes-viral-i-fought-for-your-right-to-hate-me/


Towleroad/by  Andy Towle November 7, 2015 | 10:17am

"More than 8.600 people have shared a photo posted to Facebook by Carla Lewis, a veteran discharged by the military for being transgender. In the photo, Lewis wears a "casual Friday t-shirt" highlighting the discrimination of trans service members.

Lewis responded to the popularity of her post in a follow-up post:

Okay...today's Facebook as been INSANE. Over 3200 SHARES? In what world do that many people care about my t-shirt or that I'm a vet that was discharged for being trans? Hundreds of friend requests and messages...thousands of notifications. It's like my phone no longer belongs to me.

Crazy I tell you! Crazy."

I understand.  I was in 20 years and retired and the thought that it was all a huge waste to serve the country that hates me and those like me crosses my mind often.


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QuoteThe Pentagon announced plans over the summer to end its ban on transgender service in the military in May 2016.

I think it's great that progress is being made, But it's a bit late in coming and my heart still goes out to those who have been heavy handedly abused, ridiculed, stripped of rank, court marshaled and discharged without benefits and left to suffer in silence 

I shared this on my FB page. It is only the second post I've made there due to my standing in the universe. The first was my coming out message. I think that Carla's message is on point and rips the seams in the dichotomous attitude we have about not only what the military is for but what it truly represents.

Cindi

As a former Marine officer I have to take a somewhat opposing position. Our armed forces are not a democracy. Our military protects a democracy but the military is a dictatorship. An individual enters the military and agrees to the UCMJ, protect and defend the Constitution,  yada,  yada, ad nauseum. Joining the military, particularly volunteering for the military, and crying about discrimination directed to an individual when the prior knowledge exists that the military is intolerant of transgenders is nothing more than sour grapes,  Imo. An individual doesn't have the right to renegotiate the terms of their employment after accepting them. Period!!

Mod Edit: Removed disrespectful language and bashing

Wow Fairview ! That seems a little hard line!

I have to say I took a different message from her tee, I don't think she is complaining about the terms of her employment, so much as making a statement to those who hate her for being her about what she feels she has done for them.

That was my take too.  Maybe I misunderstood.  I don't resent the military because I knew what it was when I joined and I could have resigned anytime I wanted after the first 5 years.  What I do resent is the way a large segment of Americans disparage with the most vile language trans people who served.  Especially since most of them that are the loudest are fat beer swilling slobs whose only experience with the military is their last video game. 

U.S. Army Officer Retired, Infantry - Airborne - Ranger


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I agree Kira, she is just asking for alil respect for what she has done for our society. I really dont think people realize, the impact of what the armed forces did for us. And  the commitment that went into fighting for our freedoms .

It seems to me she's speaking for all transgender people in the wake of all the violence going on especially in the past year with all the bullying and suicides and murders

""Here's the message I want others to glean from this shirt: Whenever a citizen volunteers for the armed services they immediately, at the very moment, make the conscious decision that they will sacrifice their life if it means securing freedom for their fellow citizens. Every right, every privilege enjoyed by an American citizen is paid with the currency of soldiers' lives. Even if the rights and privileges secured enable others to lobby against me and my transgender brothers and sisters. Freedom matters to us.""

In her own words she grants that people going into the military give their all for everyone. They sign up for that. And thus, this message was born. She was interviewed by the Huffington Post, I believe where she clearly stated her message.

 

Item 10 of the site terms of service says "Bashing or flaming of an individual or group is not acceptable behavior on this website and will not be tolerated in the slightest for any reason."

I will remove posts and lock this thread if there are further incidents of speaking disrespectfully of groups of people with which we may not agree.