The Pros And Cons Of The Transgender Community

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.

First, Transgender military troops should serve in the military, because any American who meets current medical and readiness standards should have the right to serve in the military. They got rid of Transgenders in the military, because they don’t want to pay for medical bills when a lot of the Transgenders that serve in the military have already had their surgeries done. For example, There is no reason to force service members who can fight, train, and deploy to leave the military — regardless of their gender identity. If they can do exactly what everyone else can do, they don’t have the right to ban them from serving our country, despise their gender. According to Ada Edelman, “No American, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be prohibited from honor + privilege of serving our nation #LGBT,’ tweeted Rep.” In addition, The Department of Defense found that health care funds will remain broadly unaffected by allowing Transgender people to serve while health care cost raise will likely be no more than one-tenth of 1 percent. The financial cost of health care for Transgender individuals should not be used as an excuse to deny patriotic Americans an opportunity to serve their country. Overall, Transgender troops should serve in the military if they are capable and are medically stable to.

Every day, there are American citizens who risk their lives for the sake of their country's safety. Men and women who believe that justice, peace, and equality should be served. However, within their beliefs, some choose to exclude transgender individuals who have the same rights and freedoms. The American society considers the world to be progressively changing and growing, however, seem to forget that in order for the military to survive the 21st century, diversity is crucial. Although the medical costs may raise the overall healthcare median per year, transgender individuals should have the right to serve in the U.S. armed forces because any human being who meets the physical qualifications and has a willing attitude should have the right to serve.

Transgendered persons can potentially lose their position in the military. Although other political leaders disagree with president’s trumps proposal. I disagree with the proposed actions that transgenders should be banned from the military, based on material and nonmaterial components. The terms Heterosexism, cultural relativism, feminist and standpoint theory will be used to support my decision.

Banning transgenders from serving in the military contradicts civil liberties. The government would be in violation of that law because it protects the rights of citizens. The U.S. Constitution does state in the first 10 amendments, which is the Bill of rights was designed to protect the citizen’s rights and freedom. Transgenders is a choice, a person’s choice, much like religion. The government has no authority to intervene on a personal free choice as free citizen. Banning transgenders from serving in the military is considered a form of discrimination and violates the Bill of Rights. Power is limited on the government and denies the right to interfere with a citizen’s personal choices.

According to the opposing group, the presence of LGBT people in the military undermines the trust among soldiers and can reduce the overall effectiveness of the military. While they think all who want to serve the military should, they also think not all of them are able to. One says there are certain qualifications and expectations in the military and if you are transitioning or

This statement left me with more of a questions than answers, and it became necessary to research the information. How does being transgender make our military forces less focused? How does being

The statistics have shown from the Palm Center’s Report of the Transgender Military Service Commission, that transgender Americans have serviced in the military for years. In addition, transgender are three times more likely to serve in the military than non-transgender. If that is the case, why are transgender people currently prohibited from serving openly, without the fear of disclosures and discharge, as well as, feeling they are treated unequally.

In 2016, former president, Barack Obama lifted the ban of transgenders being in the military. Now the question comes up, should transgender be allowed in the military? This is a very “touchy” topic as when discussed in verbal debates, situations can become pretty heated. Recently, current president, Donald Trump reversed the decision and put the ban back on as he made the announcement on Twitter saying, the military does not need to be “burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgenders in the military would entail.” (Caceres). Several members of the military have voiced their opinions on why they think transgenders should be allowed in with no problem.

Homosexuality has been a taboo lifestyle in many societies for centuries yet has also been widely practiced. Recently many states have passed legislation recognizing gay and lesbian marriage. Some have been overturned after intense lobbying from religious groups and political parties. In December of 2010 the President signed the repeal of the don’t ask don’t tell law which banned Americans who live openly homosexual lifestyles from serving in the military. Now it is considered discrimination by the Department of defense to mistreat any military member for being homosexual. While this is a major milestone for Gay and lesbian civil rights there is still many more obstacles to overcome before true equality is achieved. Though military members can openly engage in a same sex relationship while serving, they are not afforded the same entitlements as heterosexual couples who are married. Even if homosexual couples are legally married in a state that sanctions their union, the department of defense will not recognize the same sex spouse as being a dependent or a next of kin in the event of the service member’s death. The same is true with most civilian sector employers and the government’s tax code, medical statutes, and criminal system. Beyond the

The military excludes Transgender individuals from serving because, according to Kayla Quam, “In order to join the military, individuals need to meet the physical and psychological standards listed in the Department of Defense’s Medical Standard for Appointment, Enlistment, or Introduction in the Military Services (‘DoDI 613.03’)” (721). Because of physical and mental exams many transgender individuals choose to keep their abnormalities a secret, forcing them to live a double life. Many are disqualified because of mental and false health issues. For example, “Transgender [people] who have undergone sex-reassignment surgery are disqualified under a medical regulation during the physical exam,” and Transgender individuals who have not undergone “sex-reassignment surgery but identify as transgender are disqualified under the psychological examination” (Ross 190). The military deems Transgender individuals as unfit to serve, but approximately 15,500 transgender individuals are serving in the military and there are 134,200 transgender veterans (Gate and Herman 1). Proving that transgender individuals have served in the military successfully, playing against all odds the military is in fact wrong to classify transgender individuals as unfit to serve.

The question of whether or not gays should be alowed in the military is a hotly debated event in curnent politics and their are many arguments for and aginst it. these very arguments give us some insight about where our society is going and how willing we really are to accept others.

The United States military should not discriminate against a person’s race, religion, gender, or nationality when recruiting for new members. As long as they are able bodied and can provide the necessary skill set in order to get the job done, they should have the opportunity to join and remain in our nation’s armed forces without any form of discrimination. This would include those who are transgender and who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ means lesbian, gay, transgender, and queer. Transgender individuals have been serving in the military since the Civil War in 1861 (Paul 1). Along with the United States, other countries such as Israel, France, and Germany have allowed transgender individuals to serve in the military. Around 150,000 transgender soldiers have served in the military over the past years and are currently serving in the military. However, President Donald Trump tweeted a couple of months ago that he requested to ban all transgender people from joining the military. In the tweet he said, “...the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military” (Latifi 1). He also does not want to give out medical treatment to transgender soldiers in the military (Diamond 1). According to Donald Trump, members of the transgender community do not belong to the military. Transgender individuals should be allowed to be in the military and have the medical treatment they need from serving in the military. People in the transgender community should have the same rights as others when it comes to joining the military because some have the skill set and experience that would play a pivotal role in our nation’s military to protect our country like the other men and women currently serving in the United States armed forces.

Many individuals were highly gracious at this idea, no matter the negativity that surrounds this topic. When referencing to the article by the New York Times on Ashton Carter’s announcement, he states “Americans who want to serve and can meet our standards should be afforded the opportunity to compete to do so. After all, our all-volunteer force is built upon having the most qualified Americans” (Rosenberg, 2016). The article’s point of view perceives an appreciative tone towards the U.S. military members and how much they sacrifice. For their sacrifices, the government is willing to help formulate policies that can open doors to a new tolerance and acceptance towards sexual identity. Through my discovery of this change in policy, I realized how much this will help not only the individuals who are suffering from this condition but it will help the companionship of the military. I struggle with being completely open with my fellow service members because of the tension there was on the topic of sexual identity. After hearing the statements made by both the Secretary of Defense and the Defense Secretary, I felt like I am part of a whole different world now that there is an understanding of the struggles and tolls taken to maintain personal happiness in such a demanding career. Having higher authorities who are able to implement policies amongst the U.S. government who have vital points of views on this controversial

Transgender people of America are supposed to be free to be themselves, but now its illegal to do that in the military. Trump made the military ban in August, even though the presidents before him wanted everyone to be themselves. For transgenders to continue serving in the military they need to conceal their identities which will make them less likely to find help for health concerns and/or assault (Philip 3). Trump, our leader of our free nation, made a law for