Posted on May 28, 2019
These transgender soldiers are still allowed to serve. They want to prove their detractors wrong
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Jordan Lively, a specialist in the US Army, hated using the women's facilities at basic training and wearing the cinched top of a woman's uniform.
His wife, Malaina Lively, hated lying to friends and family about his gender before he came out to them as a transgender man. She hated the toll the secret took on their relationship.
But as soon as Jordan spoke his truth to a therapist, he faced another decision:
Would he come out to his command and start transitioning under the Trump administration's policy limiting transgender people from serving?
The new policy, which took effect on April 12, prevents transgender people from joining the military as new recruits unless they are willing to serve in the sex they were assigned at birth, in what's widely regarded as a de facto ban.
Yet those who began -- or had since finished -- transitioning under the military's short-lived open service policy could continue serving openly under certain conditions.
Now, many wonder how long the stalemate between the administration and active transgender troops will last -- and what could come next.
His wife, Malaina Lively, hated lying to friends and family about his gender before he came out to them as a transgender man. She hated the toll the secret took on their relationship.
But as soon as Jordan spoke his truth to a therapist, he faced another decision:
Would he come out to his command and start transitioning under the Trump administration's policy limiting transgender people from serving?
The new policy, which took effect on April 12, prevents transgender people from joining the military as new recruits unless they are willing to serve in the sex they were assigned at birth, in what's widely regarded as a de facto ban.
Yet those who began -- or had since finished -- transitioning under the military's short-lived open service policy could continue serving openly under certain conditions.
Now, many wonder how long the stalemate between the administration and active transgender troops will last -- and what could come next.
These transgender soldiers are still allowed to serve. They want to prove their detractors wrong
Posted from cnn.comPosted in these groups: 
Transgender
Transgender
Posted >1 y ago
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Without a complete removal and permanent ban of us, we're gaining more evidence to both prove and disprove the validity of allowing us to serve openly and receive medical care. Without completely removing us from service, we're bringing more fuel to the fire. I wouldn't say it's a de-facto ban, because if it was I would've been seperated permanently. Hate CNN misleading, but SPC Lively is showing that by keeping us in limbo instead of a complete real ban we're adding more evidence to the table that proves our validity.
It's kinda messed up when we have individuals who would like to remove trans Americans from service due to "mental illness", but wants to retain others despite their mental illnesses because "we're at a shortage of quality, combat proven leaders".
It's kinda messed up when we have individuals who would like to remove trans Americans from service due to "mental illness", but wants to retain others despite their mental illnesses because "we're at a shortage of quality, combat proven leaders".
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SFC (Join to see)
1SG John Furr that's it 1SG, very little to no information provided to any Command Teams in regards to readiness.
Politically speaking the active duty and veterans in the article will bring up issues and problems but I also know many of them personally and plenty would refuse to bring this issue up with their Command.
Believe me, it's very personal and embarrassing to discuss these issues with anyone. But being mature enough to have a one-on-one with your leadership can and will help explain readiness. For myself, I informed my Commander who I was and what I'm going through. Brought up legitimate problems and solutions so those issues aren't as big as others may see them as. Due to my medication at the time I was non-deployable, switched meds and within 24 hours later I was deployable and just got back this last February from Bagram. Sadly, not many of us are willing to have that discussion to help mitigate these questions and issues. One day it'll be fixed.
Politically speaking the active duty and veterans in the article will bring up issues and problems but I also know many of them personally and plenty would refuse to bring this issue up with their Command.
Believe me, it's very personal and embarrassing to discuss these issues with anyone. But being mature enough to have a one-on-one with your leadership can and will help explain readiness. For myself, I informed my Commander who I was and what I'm going through. Brought up legitimate problems and solutions so those issues aren't as big as others may see them as. Due to my medication at the time I was non-deployable, switched meds and within 24 hours later I was deployable and just got back this last February from Bagram. Sadly, not many of us are willing to have that discussion to help mitigate these questions and issues. One day it'll be fixed.
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