As a transgender person you’re accustomed to dealing with all sorts of issues on a daily basis. But when you walk into a VA facility you shouldn’t have to worry about that. So here at VA we need to work extra hard to overcome any fear or anxiety you might be experiencing. We want to make sure that you, as a transgender Vet, are getting the healthcare you need and the respect you have earned. --Dr. Jillian Shipherd, Veterans Administration
As a transgender person you’re accustomed to dealing with all sorts of issues on a daily basis. But when you walk into a VA facility you shouldn’t have to worry about that. So here at VA we need to work extra hard to overcome any fear or anxiety you might be experiencing. We want to make sure that you, as a transgender Vet, are getting the healthcare you need and the respect you have earned.
--Dr. Jillian Shipherd, Veterans Administration
Army Capt. Jennifer Peace, a transgender woman based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, said that she deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 while transitioning, and that there are other transgender troops serving there now.
Being transgender had had absolutely no impact on my fitness for duty. Tthere should be no transgender standard — there should be an Army standard. If I can make the Army standard, I should be able to serve. --Capt. Peace
Being transgender had had absolutely no impact on my fitness for duty. Tthere should be no transgender standard — there should be an Army standard. If I can make the Army standard, I should be able to serve.
--Capt. Peace
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Blake Dremann, who is president of SPARTA, a trans advocacy group, said he is telling concerned service members to wait for any legal challenges to play out and "continue to succeed, show them we're not an issue."
Which we haven't been, so I don't understand. --Dremann
Which we haven't been, so I don't understand.
--Dremann
I want to stay in the military as long as they will have me," Bruce said. "I love what I do. I think we make a positive impact day in and day out protecting our country and defending our way of life. --Air Force Staff Sgt. Ashlee Bruce
I want to stay in the military as long as they will have me," Bruce said. "I love what I do. I think we make a positive impact day in and day out protecting our country and defending our way of life.
--Air Force Staff Sgt. Ashlee Bruce