A couple weeks ago the "Don't Ask-Don't Tell" was repealed in the American military. I thought "great deal!" times really are changing. I still feel that way, but once again where does this leave the trans veteran?
I am a Vietnam era vet, complete with all the baggage.
"Back in the day" any examples of any gay behavior were hidden. All I ever saw was the Senior Master Sergeant of the air base in Thailand with his "
Katoey" walking around the base most mornings,
Being openly gay in today's military is so foreign to me that I really have no point of reference.
I do wonder if I was a trans military person, could I walk into my "CO's" (Commanding Officer) office and demand a new uniform and name change? Why do I think a move like that would be nearly impossible without a blast of outside negative publicity.
I am negative about this. I feel the transgendered public has largely been ignored again. I did attempt a little research and did come up with a website/organization for Trans-Vets.
The
Transgendered American Vets
site provided me with a starting point, which is all I was looking for. It also brought up another question concerning the treatment of transgendered veterans by the
VA. I have never read an official policy concerning the "VA" approach to us. I have however heard different regions follow different "unwritten" policies when prescribing hormones and other treatments.
I really have no personal evidence one way or the other. If you do let me know!
With the right amount of publicity and pressure from within, maybe we can climb the same mountains as the gay community.
