I was a transgender soldier in the US military.
When I joined the Army in 2003, I was 29 years old, married a woman who was my father and a woman who knew and accepted her transgender identity. I rose to rank and became an Apache helicopter repairman. However, while deployed to Afghanistan in 2005, his wife was diagnosed with cancer and died 12 months after returning home.
As two new single fathers, I moved to becoming an Army X-ray engineer and proudly served until I retired.
Being transgender in the military was illegal. But when President Obama announced in 2016 that transgender members of the military could serve identified genders, I quickly came out into the military.
Many people don't understand “openly serving” in the military. It's not just that you can become your true self. It's important, but there are other important, life-changing meanings. The military is not just a salary. It's your healthcare, housing, retirement. For example, it means you are not constantly afraid of what will happen to a child suffering from a chronic illness, or what will happen if the retirement benefits retire within 20 years.
President Trump in 2017 Tweet“The US government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity of the US military,” I was crippled with panic. I asked myself, “Am I still working? Do I still have a place to live? Do I have health insurance? What will happen to my children? I still serve my country. Will you be allowed to do this?'' This fear and uncertainty is a daily reality for many transgender soldiers.
I was allowed to continue with my service but was told to stay quiet. Trump's recent order Rescising President Biden's orders and allowing transgender military service. For now, transgender individuals are no longer permitted to continue serving, but they are no longer permitted to receive access to gender care.
It is unclear how this will affect the work of service members who have already emerged as transgender people. Those currently serving may no longer receive gender care in military health facilities, resulting in boredom. Failure to enlist may also affect future careers if you wish to re-enter or transition into a boarding corps.
What is clear is that living in this state of uncertainty is disastrous. For decades, transgender military service has been primarily managed by executive orders and Department of Defense policies, but unlike gay and lesbian services, it is explicitly codified by US law. there is no. Therefore, each time a new president is elected, members of transgender services are at risk of gaining or losing employment, healthcare and security.
Then there is hatred. By robbing him of permission to serve, Trump gave Americans permission to speak and act in a dangerous way.
After Trump's 2017 tweet, when I was active in Missouri, someone living this culture of hatred stood in my driveway and was shot by my car. My kids were inside the house and witnessed it all. Apart from the death of my wife, it was the worst moment of my life. This is a type of discrimination and violence that many trans people face.
That's even worse for military children identifying them as transgender. Voting by American Modern Military Association More than half of military families with gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender children have decided to retire early to request relocation or avoid orders to places they feel unsafe for their children. I realized that. In Missouri, I was told frequently by fellow soldiers. “Don't go to this part of town. They will kill you.”
Transgender individuals are like that Double the possibility Just as all American adults served their country in the military. Almost 1 in 5 people Transgender people are active military members or veterans. We sign up to protect our national principles and ideals, even when our country is not extending its principles and ideals to us.
Today, as a retired transgender military veteran, I speak for everyone who cannot speak publicly for fear of losing their jobs or losing their lives. I'm afraid of them. I'm scared of their families and their children.
Beyond the risks they face from others, transgender US military veterans have more 20x Percentage of suicide-related events than cisgender veterans. What tragedy does this new political culture of shame and prejudice cause?
Even some of the veteran community are quiet. Many veteran organizations have not spoken on our behalf.
I say to them and the American people: these are your brothers and sisters. We defended you even if you didn't know who we were. Don't turn your back on us. Don't leave anyone behind. talk to me!
Alleria Stanley is a retired transgender US military member and a member of the board of directors. Transgender American Veterans Association.
