Transgender vs Military organizations revisited

[Teri Jean]

Recently I put in a thread about an article the District Chaplain of the American Legion here was doing on transgender as I'm starting my transition and was an officer of the District. He thought it would be good for some education of the members as what this is and help them understand the what and why. So here is the text he put in for the upcoming newsletter.

Chaplin’s Chatter
The past couple of months I’ve used this column to educate the reader of What’s Happenin’ in our District. This month I would like to touch very briefly on another subject. Transgender.
What does transgender mean?
Transgender is an umbrella term used to describe people whose gender identity (sense of themselves as male or female) or gender expression differs from that usually associated with their birth sex. Many transgender people live part-time or full-time as members of the other gender. Broadly speaking, anyone whose identity, appearance, or behavior falls outside of conventional gender norms can be described as transgender. However, not everyone whose appearance or behavior is gender-atypical will identify as a transgender person.
How do transgender people experience their transgender feelings?
Transgender people experience their transgender feelings in a variety of ways. Some can trace their transgender identities or gender-atypical attitudes and behaviors back to their earliest memories. Others become aware of their transgender identities or begin to experience gender-atypical attitudes and behaviors much later in life. Some transgender people accept or embrace their transgender feelings, while others struggle with feelings of shame or confusion. Some transgender people, transsexuals in particular, experience intense dissatisfaction with their birth sex or with the gender role associated with that sex. These individuals often seek sex reassignment.
Why are some people transgender?
There is no one generally accepted explanation for why some people are transgender. The diversity of transgender expression argues against any simple or unitary explanation. Many experts believe that biological factors such as genetic influences and prenatal hormone levels, early experiences in a person’s family of origin, and other social influences can all contribute to the development of transgender behaviors and identities.
How can I be supportive of transgender family members, friends, or significant others?
1) Educate yourself about transgender issues.
2) Be aware of your attitudes concerning people with gender-atypical appearance or behavior.
3) Use names and pronouns that are appropriate to the person’s gender presentation and identity; if in doubt, ask their preference.
4) Don’t make assumptions about transgender people’s sexual orientation, desire for surgical or hormonal treatment, or other aspects of their identity or transition plans. If you have a reason to need to know, ask.
5) Keep the lines of communication open with the transgender person in your life.
6) Get support in processing your own reactions. It can take some time to adjust to seeing someone who is transitioning in a new way. Having someone close to you transition will be an adjustment and can be challenging, especially for partners, parents, and children.
7) Seek support in dealing with your feelings. You are not alone. Mental health professionals and support groups for family, friends, and significant others of transgender people can be useful resources.
Have a great month. God bless.
Don A*******
2nd District Chaplain

Now I left his name out of the text as we like our personal lives separate, I'm sure he would to. But your comments can be shared if you like. Have a good day and hugs to you all. Teri

[boardpuppy]

Hi Terri,
Well written, covering all the important points. Posted on the forum, I feel the writer would get understanding and support but in the military and to some degree the legion this letter will only get trashed. There is more but my emotions are in the road.

Hugs,
Alice

[Kinky with Ink]

It's very good that this chaplain is so open minded. Though like I said in the last thread that isn't going to be the way the military views it. The military refuses to hange their views and I doubt they will any time soon. Also isn't the Legion more of a civilian organization than a military?

[Teri Jean]

Kinky, you are so right and it has really no ties with the military and the rules the military operates under but it is made up of past and present military persons. The function is to support the veteran whether they are serving or discharged. The point I was trying to make here is the mindset of the AL, VFW, DAV, MCL, Vietnam Veterans, and a few others I belong to is their mindset is still military. So having said that this would be simular to outing yourself to the unit Commander and having to deal with the flack that would ensue.
The only thing differing is they cannot dicharge you or inprison you for your actions. When the Chaplain decided to publis this he understood those issues but knew the members at large are going to look at this differently as we are civilians. Now the military as a whole may never accept this and they have their reasons even though they are misguided. Like a husband and wife, they are the same but much different.

Thank you for your insight. Teri

[SuzanneBender]

Kinky, you are so right and it has really no ties with the military and the rules the military operates under but it is made up of past and present military persons. The function is to support the veteran whether they are serving or discharged. The point I was trying to make here is the mindset of the AL, VFW, DAV, MCL, Vietnam Veterans, and a few others I belong to is their mindset is still military. So having said that this would be simular to outing yourself to the unit Commander and having to deal with the flack that would ensue.
The only thing differing is they cannot dicharge you or inprison you for your actions. When the Chaplain decided to publis this he understood those issues but knew the members at large are going to look at this differently as we are civilians. Now the military as a whole may never accept this and they have their reasons even though they are misguided. Like a husband and wife, they are the same but much different.

Thank you for your insight. Teri

Teri the husband and wife analogy is perfect. I would also like to point out that in this case the wife (Legion) has a lot of influence on the husband. This is no different than my house.
I can guarantee that when the Chaplain's article is published it will cause some wonderful and probably heated debate among the members. The wonderful thing about this is that many of those members are Active and views will be openly expressed in the forum of a Legion Post that would never be discussed in the Military forum. As a member of two of the largest Veteran’s organizations in the country I can say that these debates happen on almost a daily basis within our posts across the country and it is those candid discussions that eventually lead to a cultural and organizational change within the organization and eventually the military.

My father, a Navy Man, used to always say that it takes time to turn a Battleship in a bathtub. The Chaplain's courage to write this article must be applauded. His points are well written and ring true. I am sure that he was fully aware of the repercussions this letter would cause both personally and organizationally, but I am also confident that his efforts helped to move the Battleship USS Transgender a few degrees more toward acceptance.

I implore each and every Vet that reads this to follow the Chaplain's lead. Let your views be known. The only people that will convince others that we should be accepted are us. We can't stand by and wait for others to take the wheel.