Essay On Transgender In The Military

June 30th 2016, Rizzo & Cohen, (2016) with CNN wrote a piece on Defense Secertary Ash Carters’ decision to allow transgender individual to enlist, commission, and sereve openly in the U.S. Military. This order also allows hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery if medically reccomended. It is estimated that there are 15,000 transgender individuals currently serving in the U.S. military, according to a recent study by the Williams Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles Law School. The policy also states that any transgender joining the forces must have 18 months of stability in their new gender.

The negative stereotypes regarding transgender people serving in the military are rooted in envy towards the values that the nation’s founding fathers instilled. Since America was founded, the mission of the country’s good will towards protecting its prosperity relies on the strength of the military. The Army represents some of America’s most confident citizens who are capable of upholding the norms of society through their service. Soldiers are expected to establish a sense of honor and integrity, which makes their commitment to a stable sense of self the driving force of their service to their country. Soldiers must command respect from all citizens of American and other nations. A Soldier’s professional appearance along with his or

This new restriction that the President of the United States (Donald J Trump), which would not allow Transgenders to serve in the military. This new order or restriction is tremendously discriminatory with the fact that we are being threatened. In my opinion is a big mistake now with the threat of North Korea on America’s shoulders, we need more soldiers to serve or at least volunteer for this country. Quoting Trump’s tweet “...will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the US

II.By listening to a brief history of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy you will gain further knowledge of where we have come since the last 60 years

Further, the Trump administration’s policies specifically affect those who identify as transgender. The administration placed a ban on transgender people from receiving Armed Forces medical care for sex-reassignment surgeries, from enlisting in, and potentially from continuing to serve in the military. The extent of the toll this policy will have on the mental well-being of transgender service members and transgender people at large has yet to be explored in the literature. However, researchers have noted that discriminatory policies have a deleterious impact on the mental health of sexual and gender minorities (Hatzenbuehler et al., 2012; Meyer, 2003). This is particularly troubling considering that the Obama administration declared that transgender service members could serve openly; a move which encouraged many to disclose their gender identity to the military (Cooper, 2017).

In December 2010, Barack Obama put an end to the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy with the signing of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010. His speech, given prior to his signature, recognized the past and present homosexual members of the United States Military, and the sacrifices they have made in order to serve. As a result of this Repeal Act, the he said that the thousands of males and females in uniform would no longer be asked to live with a lie, or look over their shoulder, in order to protect and serve a nation that they love” (Repeal Act, 2010).

Prior to DADT Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy implemented in the year of 2011, over 14,000 military men and women were wrongfully discharged for their sexual preference, costing the tax payers over $50,000 per each event! (Keys, Charley, and Cohen) How could someone’s sexual preference impact fighting against the enemies I ask myself? I have many friends and family who are gay, and never have I felt uncomfortable or threatened. Contrarily, while I stereotype I find the opposite with more compassion, kindness, and love. Maybe the issue lies with the person with the hand up?

Recently, Carter attempted to eliminate the grey area by changing the Pentagon policy to allow transgender Americans to serve openly in the military, with all reassignment costs paid for by the government. The Defense Department policy states if service members’ abilities to serve are hindered by a “medical condition or treatment related to their gender identity,” they will be treated (May). This new policy requires the government to pay for expensive treatments for all transgender Americans. As a result, the number of deployable troops is decreased. The policy also encourages the large possibility of

The 2016 election was a turning point for many individuals in the United States, not least of which were members of the LGBT community. In mid-July, President Trump made an announcement over Twitter that resulted in upheaval and uncertainty for those serving in the military: transgender soldiers would no longer be allowed to serve in the military in any capacity. The ban of transgender troops in the military, made in a highly unorthodox manner, should have no major financial repercussions but may cause many social issues. While the decision has caused open turmoil in the Pentagon and the LGBT community, it is still unofficial.

Military regulations effectively prohibit service by transgender people. There are two general brackets of regulations that apply to transgender individuals: medical and conduct regulations. Transgender people will be rejected by invocation of medical or psychological rationales (medical regulations), or they may be rejected for behavior that is deemed to reflect negatively on themselves or the military (conduct regulations.) As per medical regulations, transgender individuals may be disqualified from joining the military as a result of any type of genital surgery, since this is an area of assessment and examination during the initial medical evaluation. Medical support necessary for transitioning service member is not provided. If a current transgender service member seeks treatment from civilian healthcare providers, they still must report such treatment to the military. Failure to abide by these regulations will result in criminal prosecution by the military. As per conduct regulations, there are strict regulations for uniform and grooming standards by sex. Any cross-dressing or anything perceived as cross-dressing, even in the context of following medical protocol in advance of full transition, will be considered a violation of military regulations and result in discipline, discharge, or criminal prosecution. However, even if an individual has not had surgery, but identifies as transgender, this

Last month, defense chief Ash Carter said the US military is considering a plan that would allow transgender people to serve openly in the armed forces. This means “without adverse impact” such as discrimination.

Recently, the transgender community is being restricted of the honor of serving in our military. On August 25, 2017 the “President announced his intention to implement a discriminatory and reckless policy” (GLAD), banning transgenders from joining our military. Serving in the military is an indescribable honor to the U.S citizens, and to single out a certain group in our society in which they contribute is wrong. It's not only disrespectful to trans, but the “President's blatant disregard for military judgement

Long before the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban was enacted during the Clinton administration, gay soldiers were enlisted since the founding of

Transgender Soldiers serving in the US Military. In Army Directive 2016-35, Army Policy on Military Service of Transgender Soldiers, it states that as long as a Soldier is qualified for duty, he or she may be openly transgender without fear of “involuntary separation, discharge or denied reenlistment or continuation of service soley on the basis of the Soldier’s gender identity” (Secretary of the Army, 2016).

Military policy regarding sexual orientation has mirrored – albeit, arguably, at a slower pace – broader changes in the U.S. social climate regarding the inclusion of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. As U.S. public opinion, policy, and behavior toward LGB individuals has changed, the military has incrementally removed exclusionary policies and procedures toward service members of sexual minority status. However, a recent review suggests that even as momentous changes are taking place in the social and political context related to LGB issues, there has been a decline in attention to the needs of lesbian and gay men as reflected by content published in social work journals (Pelts, Rolbiecki, & Albright, 2014). To address this gap, we examine policies and practices affecting LBG individuals in the military. Specifically, we address the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010 (H.R. 2965, S. 4023), which eliminated the practice of discharging LGB service members due to their sexual orientation as was allowed under the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) policy (Under Secretary of Defense, January 28, 2011, p.3; 10 U.S.C. 654). As a result of this act, LGB individuals are now allowed to serve their country without fear of direct repercussions due to their sexual identity.