A Summary Of Discrimination In The Military

In 1993 President Bill Clinton signed a law that set the policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t pursue, and don’t harass” when dealing with homosexuals serving in the Armed Services. The policy was a compromise to allow homosexuals to legally serve in the military as long as they did not declare their lifestyle or engage in conduct that was in violation of military good order and discipline. Supporters viewed the law as a step forward in achieving equal rights for homosexuals. Opponents remained concerned that the policy could jeopardize morale and unit effectiveness. “The Joint Chiefs, including the chairman, had all came out against the president on gays serving in the military” (Gates 440). Over time the military was able to adapt to the new policy and restore force readiness. In 2010 the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy was repealed and homosexuals were given the opportunity to openly serve in the military. The Joint Chiefs once again objected and questioned the timing of the change. Many believe the repeal was politically motivated and a bad idea that would add additional disruption to an already strained fighting force.

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).

Along with theopportunities that the WASP explored, they also encountered considerable discrimination as civilian military pilots. From the outset male pilots often resented women's presence in a traditionally male [End Page 113] military setting. Former WASP Lorraine Rodgers remembered that some WASP experienced incidents of bias from men who refused to acknowledge their ability. She personally felt some distrust and lack of support from men who would not admit that so small a woman could competently pilot a plane.19 Even at Army Air Field Headquarters, commanders thought that women aviators in the military were an intrusion onto sacred male territory.20 Each airfield had its own level of bias. At Romulus Army Air Force Base in Michigan, women

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.

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.

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.

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

Lately, there has been an outbreak of people of the LGBT community coming out in the military. Historically the United States has had a policy of discharging gays in the military. There has been an act called the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”, it is basically saying that as long as somebody does not ask about your gender preferences, you do not have to tell. Even though the ban has been lifted, many militaries still say they cannot accept anyone from the LGBT inside. They do not care about how well you can perform or your strengths and that mindset is going to come back and hit them in the long run. Militaries that are judging these kids are taking them away from somewhere they feel safe and a place where they can finally belong. Members of the LGBT community find refuge in the military. It was one of the only places where they can prove their worth, where people aren’t focusing on their sexuality. They shouldn’t be judged based on their sexual preferences. Instead, they should be judged on their personality, performance, and their ability to get the job done precisely and correctly.

Army Captain and Intelligence Officer, Jennifer Peace, is a transgender who has been in the military for years and she feels like her and many others are being treated unfairly. While Trish King and Ken Ochoa are in the same situation, they found out by the tweets President Trump made banning them from serving our country. All three of the service members agree that they they are going to keep serving the military until somebody tells them to quit showing up. For those who do not know much about the military, the Navy SEALs are the most respect people in the armed forces. Kristin Beck, retired Navy SEAL, on SEAL Team 6, and left with a Purple Heart, said “Transgender people are some of the most patriotic people in the country” (Mazziotta). Beck went public in 2013 about being transgender, she

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced this summer that transgender individuals will now be able to openly serve in the U.S. Military. Effectively immediately, Service members may no longer be involuntary separated, discharged, or denied reenlistment solely on the basis of gender identity.

Imagine you are a Union soldier stationed at a fort in 1864. You wake up prepared for the day that is to come. It’s morning reveille, and the basic insults are shouted at you while you get dressed, as per usual. You heard to morning chow with your best friend Joe and talk about how life just isn’t fair, especially for y’all. All of a sudden people are hollering the the Confederates are attacking. Oh, I almost forgot to mention, you’re an African-American at Fort Pillow. It’s not looking good on the Union side and before you know it the Union is surrendering, but the Confederacy is relentless and doesn’t stop there. You watch your friends picked off one by one as they scream out that they surrender. Quite devastatingly, events like this had a very common occurrence. From harassment by fellow Union soldiers to cold blooded massacres conducted by the Confederates, African-Americans endured it all and more. During the civil war, African-Americans were severely discriminated against in multiple way by the military because they weren’t viewed as human beings. Of course, In order to see my point, you primarily need to understand how I have come to this conclusion. What does being seen as a human being mean?

Currently there’s a major debate about transgenders and their right to serve in the military. Many transgender individuals bring with them well documented mental and emotional issues that require a serious commitment of time, money, extended therapies, and trainings. Coupled with a very public and open battle with suicide are all reasons why transgender individuals should not be allowed to enlist in the military at this time.

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.

Transgenders ha ve served in many armed forces throughout the world. They have been able to adapt and overcome throughout history and still face many issues in their community with their way of life today. It has been a debate for a long time now on whether they should or should not be allowed to serve in the U.S. military openly. The Department of Defense has been able to base a decision based on study findings, but have also used those finding to reinstate a ban. They have struggled for decades to determine a true course of action and have failed to see and adopt ways other countries have been able to in order to deal with the situation.

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.