Xenophobic language fosters xenophobic thought. Transgender is an adjective, not a noun. Many of those arguing against transgender service refer to us as "transgenders". There is no such, thing, just as there are no "talls", "youngs" or "smarts". The grammatical distinction is not trivial. If the word is used as intended, it humanizes: Transgender soldier. Transgender American. Transgender person.
1
Assuming he even grapples with such things, this presents a conundrum for Trump. He can do what his experts in the military advise and lift the ban on transexuals serving, allowing as graceful a departure from his previous stance as is possible. But then that would be to tacitly admit that he never consulted them to begin with. Oh I forgot. Lying is not an issue for our current president, thus no conundrum at all.
3
Transgenders have a right and should be allowed to serve. Period. They have done so in the past, made us proud. A good soldier is a good soldier. End of story
1
If the US wants to "do right" by all the troops, it should pull out of the many wars it starts or expands all over the world. It should also stop interfering in other countries' internal affairs, which is all it's done since WWII.
February 24, 2018
Just this morning I enjoyed meeting a historic Greenwich Village Trans - guy to girl Vietnam Veteran and I know of - Roller Queen her theatrics in the LBGTQ community going at lease back to the Stonewall liberation. What makes us both pleased in that we live in our country that has tolerances for freedom and choices that are inherited and adapted to the right worth fighting for - as we all should agree in universal and mysterious for many. But that is what must be the guide that sharing and voicing allows for grace that we can engineer and create to the world and indeed with respecting the choices as best and effected by both the divine and the cultural superlatives.
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
1
A proposal for compromise: welcome "trans" people into the military after they have completed their medical transition, at their expense.
2
Jim Mattis in '22, if he'll do it!
1
Let the generals decide instead of the activists and politicians. Wouldn't that be a novel idea. Anyone who's served knows that the needs of the service come first. You may want to be a SEAL, you may even be good enough to be a SEAL, but if they're not taking anymore people from your year group, you can't be a SEAL. Lots of people who want to be pilots don't get to be pilots and lots of people, especially officers, who want a career don't get to have a career.
11
Transgender problems can wait. We need to focus on mass murders and sexual harassment.
14
I'm not clear at all on why we cannot do two good things at once. What you propose is a false dichotomy, my friend.
3
I agree that gun control and sexual harassment are important issues that need to be addressed. But this issue is also important, especially to the transgender troops already serving and those who wish to serve. Additionally, showing that as a country we care about EVERY citizen's rights is of primary concern. A nation wouldn't get very far by handling just a couple of issues at once. We can walk and chew gum at the same time.
2
The "transgender problems" have been created by Trump, Pence and the fundamentalist wing of their base. The rest of the public could care less, and transgender people, almost by definition, do not seek to draw attention to themselves.
OK. Fine...
But how about making basic training and AIT a safe space from sexual attraction.
Meaning, that for the first year;
Hetero males train together. Likewise for hetero females.
... Transgender troops also train together.
And gay men and gay women train together, because supposedly there is no sexual attraction.
Basic training/boot camp is hard for a lot of us. ... There's enough stress without having to deal with somebody making eyes at you. ...
5
Given Donald Trump's record of draft evasion via his phony bone spurs, one would think he would appreciate anyone willing to die for his/her country. But no, he's more interested in pandering to his homophobic base.
10
Oh, please. The " religious " are the warriors of his base. And by warriors, I mean vicious on the subject of " the gays " and anything else not representing the male-centric, " straight" norm. A SELF admitted, serial sexual assaulter is fine. Transgender, not so much. Just saying.
10
As long as taxpayers and the military does not have to pay for transgender surgery, hormone therapy etc. well then sure.
There is zero point having someone serving in the military just to get free transgender sex reassignment surgery. They can’t serve while in the hospital.
9
And if a training accident lands a recruit in the hospital for a week and requires a few months of rehab to full recovery and fitness, discharge him or her as well? The illogic of bigotry never ceases to amaze.
1
Unlike generations of the Trump family including Donald Sr. and sons these transgender troops have been bravely, honorable and patriotic enough to volunteer to wear the military uniform of an American armed force. Allowing the prancing preening pretending likes of Prince Don, Jr. and Prince Eric Trump to continue to profit from their father being President while posing as hunters instead of poachers they are.
14
A total ban on transgender people, rather than the current process of making a medical determination, would violate the anti-discrimination policies of the majority of universities in the US. Students and faculty won't tolerate it.
Goodbye ROTC. Again.
9
In theory, there is no objection to anyone, including transgender people, to serve in the military. However, the medical costs associated with transgenderism are quite high, so enlisting someone who is transgender is liike enlisting someown with AIDS or any other medically expensive condition. If, as some claim, the extra costs associated with transgender are only $8 million per year, then there is no real problem.
So why not allow transgender to serve, but limit the medical costs associated with their transgender status to $8 million per year? If the Left would agree to that, the Right might be less inclined to beleive that the transgender isssue is really about getting the taxpayer to use military funds to pay for very costly medical care for people whom everyone assumes will be mostly voting for Democrats.
5
Viagra costs the military over $40 million dollars. Transgender care $8 million
8
Sure 4O million for 200,000 troops vs 8 million for less than 2k troops.
Trimalchio,
You have to divide the costs per person. On that basis, transgender costs are huge. In other words, a transgender solider is inordinately more expensive than a cis-male or cis-female soldier.
1
Donald is nearly perfectly ignorant of government, military and constitutional standards, norms, laws and traditions. He was convinced by a small group of reactionary Republicans who flattered him that military funding shouldn't include reparative surgery for trans members of the military.
Donald then did what he always does: he appealed to his base rather than to the laws and traditions, and he made an arbitrary decision to discriminate against a politically underrepresented group. It can't stand.
But look at some of the comments here. They're ignorant. What happened to our sterling public education system?
8
Has General Kelly ever expressed a public opinion on this issue, either when he was in or out of uniform? It would be interesting to know where he stands. Readers?
Of course trans gender people should be welcomed into the military.Not so long ago African Americans were banned or segregated And then women were targeted as unfit to serve.Never mind that we have a Senator(Tammy Duckworth) who lost both legs in war.Mr Trump evaded the draft with bone spurs in his foot.All men and women who are willing to serve their country should be honored and celebrated.
13
I believe the right to help defend your country is a basic right that should seriously be respected for all Americans and immigrants. To claim someone is mentally ill because they are transgender does not match reality. The basis of all discrimination should constantly be challenged. I suspect most people who believe all transgender are mentally ill don’t actually know anyone who is transgender.
My advise is to get to know someone who is transgender, you will quickly learn we have more similarities than differences.
The military needs to be at the forefront of braking down cultural barriers & stereotypes
Let them serve.
On a side note, when Trump claimed to consult “generals” he was referring to General Mills. They had a long conversation during breakfast one morning over coffee.
3
The U.S. military rejects about 80 percent of those who try to enlist, many for physical and psychiatric problems less severe than gender dysphoria. According to Psychology Today, “Adolescents and adults with gender dysphoria before gender reassignment are at increased risk for suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and completed suicides. After gender reassignment, suicide risk may persist depending on the adjustment of the individual. Adults may display anxiety and depressive symptoms. Some adult males have a history of paraphilias. Associated personality disorders are more common among males than among females being evaluated at adult gender clinics.”
11
Gender dysphoria does not occur for, or apply to, all transgender people, anymore more than dysphoria applies to all people because some people have dysphoria. so the example is a poor one.
5
"The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) provides for one overarching diagnosis of gender dysphoria with separate specific criteria for children and for adolescents and adults.
In adolescents and adults gender dysphoria diagnosis involves a difference between one’s experienced/expressed gender and assigned gender, and significant distress or problems functioning. It lasts at least six months and is shown by at least two of the following:
1.A marked incongruence between one’s experienced/expressed gender and primary and/or secondary sex characteristics
2.A strong desire to be rid of one’s primary and/or secondary sex characteristics
3.A strong desire for the primary and/or secondary sex characteristics of the other gender
4.A strong desire to be of the other gender
5.A strong desire to be treated as the other gender
6.A strong conviction that one has the typical feelings and reactions of the other gender"
It only take two out of six to diagnose an individual as gender dysphoric.
5
And none of the six indicates anything close to what we call mental illness. It's a condition that occurs naturally everywhere, in small numbers, nothing more.
1
Transgender people are not trying to use the military for their medical needs. They are trying to serve their country.
Transgender people are not ill. They are trying to live life to their fullest capabilities.
Spend less money on weapons of war, and more money on taking take of our troops, whatever medical care they may need.
14
At this point it does not make much sense to ban transgender troops retro-actively. Those already enlisted should stay, as long as they remain as discreet as possible and are serving their country effectively. Going forward the ban should be reinstated. The military is not a social experiment. It is not a reality show. There must be unit cohesiveness. Transgenders negatively impact on such cohesiveness and should not be allowed to serve. Arrmies break things and kill people. That is their mission. This is not the Oprah show. Sorry.
11
Unit cohesiveness -- wasn't that the reason given for resistance to integrating the army? Truman did it, and it has worked out pretty well, I believe.
4
Your "sorry" is about as sarcastic as Trump's "thank you" at the end of his insulting Tweet on this topic. "Unit cohesion" is the same pretext that was once used for discriminating against women and gay servicemembers. It was also the pretext to resist the racial integration of the military. As has been proven again and again and again, those in uniform have proven themselves perfectly capable of fighting shoulder to shoulder with anyone willing to stand the line beside them (Trump was never so willing).
Do you want to know what might REALLY harm unit cohesion? When the Commander in Chief singles out particular demographics for humiliation and flippantly dismisses them from service via social media! Trump's dubious claims to have consulted with military leadership beforehand is undercut by the fact that they almost immediately walked him back.
1
This topic sure brings out the logical gymnastics. So, your unit cohesion is fine with the trans soldiers you already have but will be rent asunder by the new ones?
Well-trained, dedicated trans soldiers are just as capable of breaking things and killing people as any other warrior.
1
I have no problem with homosexuals serving because they are physically strong and healthy as our armed forces require.
My objection to transgenders is that they may need surgery and medication and hormone therapies.
The army doesn’t take old people or fat people or diabetics etc. Why should they take transgenders. They may not be physically up to par when their fellow soldiers need to rely on them
17
Reading some of these comments - from NYTimes readers, no less - just proves how little most people understand, or care to understand, gender dysphoria.
Transgender folks are not "loonies". They aren't "mentally ill." In fact , most are highly intelligent, talented, incredibly brave people. They just happen to have been born in the wrong body. I get that that's hard for some minds to grasp. It has already been proven that any hormonal treatments they should require costs far less than what the military already spends on Viagra. Since so many people avoid military service altogether, why not let these patriotic folks serve their country?
14
What about reassignment surgery? That would cost a fortune and render the soldier unable to carry out their duties for a significant period of time. In fact, they might not be deployable at all, even on hormonal treatments. You cannot be an insulin dependent diabetic and serve, yet these people with significant medical issues want to serve? It's unworkable.
15
There is a suspicion on the Right that the plan is to use a huge amount of taxpayer funds appropriated for the military to be used to the benefit of a mostly Democrat voting minority. If the funds devoted to transexual identity were limited to as fixed amount per year, I suspect most of the Right would go along. If the Left doesn't embrace that idea, it is because they know the costs are great and they want to use military funds to reward their voters.
3
"They just happen to have been born in the wrong body." This is the essence of a new philosophy. It is not science.
People of the the U.S. are desperate for philosophy, and they adopt many. Our new president has shown that the deification of people like Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt was a bit overdone.
However, santification of a few important leaders is less confusing that elevating other curiosities to philosophy.
5
Cadet Bonespur informed certain members of our military via TWEET that they were "burden" to their country and unfit to serve in any capacity. I am honestly asking this entire comments section... does anyone think ANY honorably serving member of our armed forces deserves to be publicly shamed by our draft-dodging coward of a president? Makes kneeling athletes seem trivial, no?
Make no mistake. Trump's announcement had nothing to do with national security or budget concerns and everything to do with changing the headlines at the end of a long and brutal month for our country's most "stable genius." For those with faulty memories, here are SOME of the highlights from earlier in the same July 2017 month: (1) the discovery of his son's Trump Tower meetings with Russians and his possible involvement in lying about their subject matter; (2) "Trumpcare" fails again in Congress; (3) Trump makes the brilliant hiring decision to bring in "The Mooch"; (4) Trump loses Spicer as a result; (5) The Mooch takes out then-Chief of Staff Priebus in a vulgar tirade; (6) new Gen. Kelly takes out the Mooch and is essentially declared Trump's babysitter... the hits just kept coming.
So Trump attacked a minority demographic within his own military. It helped him to distract his base from his miserable failures that month. And the fact that it was literally against the law for anyone in the military (transgender or otherwise) to criticize him for it must have been a nice bonus.
18
How much does gender reassignment cost? How long does it take? Will the cost of this be in the military budget? How long will people in transition be unable on medical leave unable to perform their duties?
I can't help it and I hope I am wrong but it seems to me that the underlying driver of this issue is for trans gender individuals to get a free gender assignment operation/ treatment, and then soon after to get an honorable discharge.
Like it or not the militarys primary purpose is to (be able to ) blow up things and kill people. That is why they give them weapons! I fell society at large can better accommodate the trans gender population in other ways. As such I do NOT believe the military command should be making this decision. They have their primary demands to address.
19
i may be naive, but i thought the military's purpose was to prevent the killing of people and the blowing up of things. Do people really join the military in order to kill other people and blow up things?
How would you feel if transgender people were allowed to join the military only after their transition was complete? No way? I thought so. So your objection is not based on the slim chance that one unscrupulous person might use the military to obtain a free transition and then quit, right? I suggest you actively seek out a transgender person and speak to him or her. It just might change your mind.
2
Beside President Trump refusal to let Transgender people serve , are transgenders deployed as females or males because it matters since there's combat areas where females soldiers aren't deployed and I am sure straight males will be upset if their brother/sister in arms hide behind their sexual orientation , just asking
4
Transgender people do not belong in the military for reasons that are self-evident. The campaign to allow them to serve is merely an advanced form of virtue signaling.
17
And integration or intermarriage between the races is wrong for reasons that are self-evident.
If you set out to persuade, may I suggest stating a logical argument and not just your opinion?
1
As a juvenile court attorney, I see many vulnerable children and families. So many of the 'parents' have no stable relatives and grew up in foster care themselves. For children who grew up in the system and are now young adults, not having any stable person /family who can provide financial support in times of setbacks creates a set up that many never can climb out of: thus known as, the cycle of poverty.
The military offers one of the only places for those young adults- if they have managed to remain clean, healthy and criminal record free- enough.
Transgendered kids who grew up in foster care face the worst prognosis for a stable future, and many commit suicide because of lack of acceptance and not 'fitting in'.The military (sad but true) is the only way out for many! It gives those who are able to make it in that environment a chance to have some support during and after, and all young adults need that!!!.
Please keep transgendered people in the military. They need and deserve this assistance- and acceptance- more than so many realize.
6
The military is not an extended foster care program.
16
Speaking as a honorably retired officer with 24 years of active service, I believe that the only requirement for active duty service should be if someone can do their job, in war and peacetime.
It is disturbing to read so many responses here that discount the humanity and person-hood of fellow citizens.
If someone wants to serve the country, and can do it without harm to the mission, they should be allowed to serve.
Lewis Lorton, COL, USA (Ret)
39
Thank you. Well put.
4
You are right of course. The argument is whether the transgender are a medical drag on the military. Will transgenders consume a disproportionate amount of military funding for things like sexual reassignment surgery? If so, just as we don't accept other people with expensive medical conditions, we shouldn't accept transgener people either. If not, then why not just limit the funds that can be spent on transgender-associated medical conditions and discharge anyone who needs more than that?
5
Alexander the Great's beloved companion was his lover and fellow warrior Hephaestion.
When he defeated the elite legendary Sacred Band of Thebes made up of 150 pairs of male lovers Alexander wept.
2
Trump’s base, which includes evangelicals and some veterans factions, will never go for trans-service. Therefore, Trump will stonewall at best and block at worst any recognition of our fellow trans citizens’ service. His coalition is just too narrow for him to support it.
3
And many liberals are not supportive of the misogyny that's very palpable in the transgender community. No, transgender women should not be sharing quarters and duties with women, as to be transgender is a hypothetical, a feeling. Our armed forces require more structure and clear definition than that.
6
Thus far, Mr. Trump has maintained a remarkably consistent record as President: he has done the harmful thing at every opportunity. It is like a variant of Murphy's law--anytime he can do wrong, he will. I have little hope that, given the choice, he will allow transgender troops to remain in the military or permit transgender persons to enlist. That is simply too much to ask of someone who, facing the survivors and grieving relatives of a terrible and preventable tragedy, holds a cue card to remember to say, "I hear you."
6
I do not think all of this labeling we do to separate out different groups helps us/them. Personally, I support anyone who is fit and ready to join our armed forces and applaud them. I do not care if they are purple or part frog- and I think if we do not institute a draft (prefer a mandatory national service requirement) then we should take the best and brightest Americans period.
5
If that were the only issue that would be fine, however it is not. Transgender people often require extensive medical intervention. Hormonal treatments for one, many also want reassignment surgery. Besides the cost to an already overburden military medical system these things would render most transgender unable to deploy and also unable to perform their duties for long periods of time. Reassignment surgery itself would only be able to be done at major medical centers (if at all) and most jobs are not there. We don't allow people to serve that have diabetes for example. Not everything is fair in life, the military is not for virtue signalling.
15
How nice it must be to reach logical conclusions without factual perspective. As one commenter pointed out, the disability period for even full reassignment surgery is roughly that of a pregnancy, after which there is no residual disability. Another noted that the DoD spends $80 million annually on erectile dysfunction drugs. So let's save that money with a new rule: get it up naturally or get out of the service.
It's so sad how bigotry can so readily trump reason.
1
The responsibility soldiers take to lay down their lives for their country is intrinsically altruistic. Any notion their gender matters pales in comparison. Trump’s prejudice against transgender troops only shows how inhumane he is.
6
Trump never admits error. It's going to take some amazing spin to enable him to change his mind without appearing to change his mind.
6
When will Democrats learn that they lost the Presidential election of 2016, because they supported the rights of a tiny minority of Americans and ignored middle class voters.
18
Fortunately, there's very little evidence that they have learned anything along those lines. The hysterical nonsense about Trump (who, of course, has signifcant faults) pushes moderates away from Democrats. The moderates don't vote FOR Trrump, they vote AGAINST Democrats.
6
If people are voting against Democrats, why are Democrats winning special elections by large margins?
It is you people who are making these non-issues a big deal by braying when others correctly boo you out of the room.
Take the hint and go do something productive. Anything but the continued preoccupation with something that is no one else’s business but the person in question.
On that note, any transgendered person reading this should know that the vast majority of us in the real world support your efforts to recognize and adhere to the biologival impulses that drive your need to pursue who you really are. So carry on. We will catch you whenever anti-science misfits knock you over. We have your back.
And thanks for your service, if you’re in the military. We are all better for having you protecting us.
3
Is there some reason not to be attentive to both? And besides, how are the Republicans not ignoring the middle class with their embrace of oligarchy?
1
Democrats need to push this issue in the fall elections. It is clearly a winner and affects a lot of people.
But seriously, gender dysphoria is real, and deserves our compassion, but it is not a good fit for the military (same with many other psychiatric conditions).
10
Trump said he’d be a “better friend” to the LGBTQ community than Hillary Clinton. He’s no friend to anyone, and won’t “do right” for anyone except himself.
9
Many lesbian students would quickly argue that the T in LGB is not friendly towards them a transgender all!
3
Any transgender that applied for military service before June 2016 lied on their application. Their condition prevented them from service. There are many medical conditions that prevent one from serving....transgender was one.
13
Trump serves Russia. Trump serves his base. But most of all, Trump serves himself. Don't hold your breath
6
They need to bring back the compulsory draft, this time for both sexes and also for whatever third or fourth categories you can come up with. Instead of millennials whining about the composition of the military, they can nervously await their own draft number. Everyone gets to serve two years and neither your money nor your social connections get you out of it.
9
We should always be sympathetic to fellow human beings. We should recognize the humanity. There are people who claim to be Napoleon, surprisingly they are not speaking French, but we should be sympathetic. Recognize the humanity. Some men think they are really women, ok, be sympathetic, recognize the humanity, he's a little mixed up. Some women think they are really men. Same, same. be sympathetic. She is a little mixed up. It's called gender dysphoria. A bit of confusion. People with confusion, people who are mixed up, should be respected as human beings, and sometimes given a wide berth. Not a good fit for the military. When I was a young man flat feet was a disqualification. My feet were almost flat, I wore arches, I went to Vietnam, couldn't return to the shadows (as the Times refers to civilian life). You could be too tall or too short. Whatever. That said, if a particular person had a necessary skill that was essential, by all means there could be a waiver. Let's be practical.
And by the way, #metoo should look into those who want to send women into front-line combat usually versus male enemy combatants. Even the Olympics acknowledges the difference between men and women and has separate events. Ordering women in to front-line combat seems a form of misogyny.
21
Correct, a person has the right to walk down the street claiming to be Napoleon but we are not required to salute or buy them a uniform.
9
Empathetic is a better word here than sympathetic. Sympathetic shows you don’t understand what transgender people want. They don’t want you to feel sorry for them...they simply want to have the same opportunity to serve their country with honor and dignity. President bone spurs wants to take that away from them as a tactic of picking on yet another minority our country and further divide us as he caters to his base. He’s a “sick” guy.
3
this response reflects a sad prejudice that transgender people are somehow deluded or psychotic-- "fake Napoleons." Such attitudes, sir, are the problem. No one said take unfit people into the service. Instead, take all who are fit, without bigotry being the default.
4
Each and every army throughout the world must be laughing at this ridiculous bit of political correctness. Many of these folks are attempting to have the US pick up the expensive procedural costs to medically and surgically alter their sex.
If someone, on leave, wishes to dress as the opposite from their birth certificate sex that all good with me. But I have zero desire to subsidize any medical procedures, ever, unless it is a life threatening situation. Sorry, this doesn't make any sense to me.
36
Did you know that most other developed countries already admitted transgender soldiers? A friend of mine was an NCO in the Canadian Air force. They provided her treatment and surgery while she was on active duty and she served many years after that. If other armies are laughing it is at our slide into the victorian age.
16
tom retired junkman- so you dont support ANY non-life threatening, life enhancement surgery? None? Because that's basically what you are saying. If something doesn't make sense To YOU, it should not be "subsidized".
Why don't you see the slippery slope in this issue? But most assuredly see it everywhere else...?
6
How do you feel about subsidizing president bone spur’s trips to maralago?
3
With all due respect, I believe that a born man who wants to change his sex to become a woman is mentally ill, and mentally ill people should not be accepted in the military. I am sure many people will do surgery to become Napoleon if the surgery were available. People get rejected from the military for much lesser physical and mental reasons than this.
Many folks think like me, both on the right and on the left, but are shut out by "social engineers" and "well-wishers" who are corrupting the system with their p.c. weakness. We hope that are voices are heard and respected, though, for the sanity of the country.
19
The facts go against your opinion. The mental health profession disagrees with your belief about mental illness. And transgender people have been serving with honor for a long time. Did you know the first American to undergo reassignment surgery was an Army veteran? When I was an Army officer no one ever questioned my mental health or my ability to do my job. That goes for many others as well. Everything from clerks to SEALs to fighter pilots.
9
I've heard this so many times. "Lots of people agree with me, they're just afraid to say so.". Or maybe not. Maybe they're afraid to disagree with you. Neither is provable. Assumptions aren't facts .
4
With all due respect back, we all have beliefs that may or may not be true. I believe that people who claim to speak for their god are mentally ill! And there is no way for either of us to be proven correct!
That said, I served for 30+ years as a senior Air Force officer and my number 1 criterion for those who worked for me in very technical jobs--who was the best person for the job? I had a number of service members who I suspected were gay, but there were never any problems at work or during deployment and they were super good at what they did. As many have stated above, transgender troops are drawn to the military for a variety of reasons and have performed well while hiding their orientation.
IMHO the military needs to be more concerned about recruiting and keeping the brightest and the best period. One's sexual orientation, religion, or politics should not be counted for or against you period. That is, these criteria should be non-issues as long as you can meet the standards and perform the job.
3
A tiny minoriy of transgenders want to enlist. A tiny minority have been kept out of public bathrooms. Not many gays are denied service by religious people. The main effect of the sexual abuse revolution has been Me Too. The great majority of those harassed and abused don’t seek legal remedies for what happened. Most Americans believe that black lives matter but don’t believe that there is an epidemic of murdering, racist cops.
Those demanding equal rights are either not winning or are fighting battles that aren’t priorities for the man or woman on the street. That’s because the battles being fought were virtually all thrust upon those fighting them. It’s time that minorities choose the battles that matter to them rather than fighting the battles chosen for them by Trump supporters, bigots, and the media. Too many minorities are playing defense. It’s time they addressed what matters to the mainstream and went on the offense.
4
Tiny? An unusually large portion of transgender people enter military service and have for decades. Some hope to find a way to live in their birth gender. Some because the military provides structure that make it easier to fit in or for the opportunities to excel that don't exist in civilian life. A few probably do so hoping to sacrifice themselves for a good cause rather than having to live with their condition. Whatever the reasons, they have served as long as there has been a military and served well.
10
@michjas
- so You're gonna decide what battles minorities and such fight? And you dont see the inherent racism in that ?
Its not playing offense to protest and demand that wholly unfair and racist policing policies and procedures stop in minority communities? That's not enough of a mainstream issue for you? Being treated not as some cop/s profiles a community, but as an individual with Constitutional rights?
Why is it whenever these topics come up, someone like you comes along and tells those demanding equal and fair treatment to fight a different battle?
Is it pure discomfort, or something more insidious?
4
I have a relative that is transgender. My understanding is that he needs regular medication in order to maintain his sexuality.
My question is what is the effect of not having this medication regularly, perhaps in a war zone, on fighting effectiveness.
18
It would be the same as sending a diabetic into a war zone. When the medication runs out then what?
My insulin must be refrigerated. How much of a task is that in the desert? what if I'm taken prisoner? Do you think I'll be supplied with insulin in the POW camp? Do you think the transgenders will get their hormones and fluoxetine supplied?
This is why diabetics are not recruited by the military.
Are they going into the field with the rest of the troopers? Or are they staying in the rear with the gear? Is that fair to the rest of the force that actually is sent out on patrol for a week at a time?
9
Exactly! If you develop insulin dependent diabetes while on active duty you are medically discharged. This is just an awful idea all the way around.
4
@Concerned Reader-----------------------That would certainly be disconcerting, but if you (and others) believe women are useless in battle, read up about women in the French Resistance in WWII. Your transgender relative sounds very dedicated and brave and would undoubtedly be effective in such a situation and in either gender.
1
No one appears to know what the Defense Department has recommended. Transgender service members have historically served in accordance with their biological sex rather than with their gender identify. The Defense Department may have recommended that transgender service member be permitted to stay as long as they continue to serve in accordance to their biological sex. The Defense Department may have recommended accepting transgender recruits as long as they agree to serve as members of their biological sex. Who knows?
4
Given his prejudiced mind against minorities, and stubborn resistance to logic, science, and common sense how could Trump's views about the transgender troops in the military could be any different than his opinions on the gun regulations, climate change, immigration, healthcare, or the similar issues that require an unprejudiced decision making in matters of national importance. Thus, whatever the merits of Jim Mattis' favourable advice about the transgenders in the armed forces, the demands of fairness and justice, constitutional guarantees for equality, or the need to make military more representative of society, Trump is unlikely to have second thoughts on his earlier order against the transgender troops, as he cares little about the matters of justice or the military modernisation in terms of its social adaptability and evolving values that are in tune with changing times.
24
Bravo, Professor Sharma, and thank you.
2
Trump worked for over 30 years in the private sector and there was never any talk about how he was a racist, but all of a sudden, after he wins the election that all you hear. Aside from the talk from the left, I'd like to see some proof of actual racism. I'm sick of this and I'm not a Trump voter.
3
Normally, this should be a no-brainer. Transgenders are estimated to represent about 1.5 million people out of a U.S. population of about 320 million people. If that percentage (less than one-half of one percent) extended to their presence in the military, it can hardly reflect a threat or a danger even in the teeth of hardliners’ worst fears. You’d think that Trump would want to the “right thing” and thereby get a demonization pass from liberals for, oh, say three days, as a reward – and so cheaply.
But this isn’t “normally”. It’s an issue that’s important to Trump’s most retrogressive base, on whom he will be dependent until after November, 2020. After that, of course, all bets are off if he wins re-election.
And, please, responders, spare me the boredom of reading outraged lectures of what’s “right”. There’s “right” and there’s “politically expedient”, whether you’re Bill Clinton, Barack Obama or Donald Trump.
8
The constant braying of how lonely it is at the top is what has become so boring.
As for “demonization pass,” chubby Nixon has earned every bit of it. There is no one he won’t scapegoat or exploit for egostatistical gain, most especially transgendered people.
One thing is clear: Republicans are having an increasingly difficult time defending Don, to the extent their efforts have become comical.
Richard Painter, Jennifer Rubin, Steve Schmidt, Nichole Wallace: exceptions all. Keep up the good work.
5
Our President once again faces a choice between doing the right thing – the thing recommended by the Secretary of Defense, his top generals, the US Courts and military experts – and the thing that excites his base.
While I hope Trump will take political lifeline Mattis has thrown to him, Trump’s track record does when faced with a choice between doing what is right and feeding his base is not encouraging.
34
Ken if Trump does what his base wants whom by the way are American voters instead of swamp creatures then he's keeping his commitments shocking for the Washington folks but welcomed everywhere else .
2
Trump do right?! Don't make me laugh! Trump is a bigot.
67
Isn't America great?
Donald Trump is a record five-time Vietnam war draft dodger.
But he gets to throw thousands of people who want to serve their country out on their butts.
This, of course, will GREATLY weaken U.S. military readiness.
Our enemies will be pleased.
64
Whatever he did, about one thing we can be certain: he didn’t abandon his country and run off to Canada...
1
Trump needs to hear cheers and the only people cheering are his slowly dwindling base. indictments may be starting to roll. Teenagers are getting more attention than he is.
He'll do something unusually cruel, mark my words.
43
Here’s the checklist DJT uses when choosing a position on an issue:
- Does my decision improve my bottom line?
- Does my decision please anyone in my base?
- Did my Kenyan predecessor take the opposing position, or if he didn’t take a position, can I assume he would have taken the opposing position?
Reversing his transgender decision would make the answers to the above questions no, no, and no, making the probability that he’ll change his mind only slightly higher than the probability I’ll be a professional athlete.
39
The most important role of the military—the only justifiable role—is the promotion of diversity.
9
Official mission statement of U.S. Army:
"To fight and win our Nation’s wars by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across the full range of military operations and spectrum of conflict in support of combatant commanders."
15
In reply to Fred in Bryan Mawr
Don’t you think that the most important role of the military is to defend the United States? In fact, I would suggest to you that it is their only role.
9
Trump says he wants a military parade at the same time that he wants to thin out their ranks arbitrarily. He even lied and said that the military can't afford gender confirmation surgery.
What a fickle Commander in Chief! Trump claims to be the military's biggest supporter when it suits him, but he doesn't show respect when it counts.
25
Its obvious. Trump doesn't really care either way. But this is a easy way to throw some meat to his evangelistic base and the white-power anti-gay supporters. He needs to feed the beast. Since he can't stop gay marriage, he can attack gays in the military. Trump knows his audience, and he loves applause!
35
Since 9/11/01 a mere 0.75% of American's have volunteered to wear the military uniform of any American armed force.
1
Transsexuals represent less than two-tenths of one percent (< .0018%) of all military personnel. Military personnel with hang-nails represent a higher percentage, and are far more inclusive: men, women, black, white, Hispanic, Muslims, Christians, and Jewish service members. What about them!!!
17
Why am I not surprised that one who begins his comment with an outdated term continues on to make pointless point?
1
When it comes to transgender rights, the ones that get attention are use of public bathrooms and serving in the military. If someone told me that I never would have to use a public bathroom and never would have to go to war, that would be great news. Why are transgenders and their supporters fighting for rights that nobody really wants?
7
First,. go on a cross country trip, and then tell me not being denied access to public restrooms is a benefit.
And then get out your version of the Green Book, which POC had to use in the Jim Crow era, simply to find the most basic human services while traveling.
13
Why do anyone serve in the military?
Do Service, Patriotism, Honor, cutting-edge skills, retirement benefits, and medical care count?
1
Won't happen. Everything Trump touches only gets worse, never better. Good luck.
21
I agree; let all brave Americans serve their country. Three cheers for Generals Mattis and Dunford. The proposed ban on transgendered volunteers is ethically wrong, short-sighted, and highly disappointing.
I support President Trump. I strongly disagree if he believes that transgendered Americans are not welcome in the military.
20
If you’re uncertain of your personhood, then you’re obviously too unstable to be wielding weapons. There are enough loonies in the military already. And, the minority argument is a tired one. Might’ve still been true two decades ago; not so much anymore.
34
Transgender people know exactly who they are.
Transgender people are not mentally ill because of their gender incongruence; they need access to medical care, as everyone else does, to achieve health and wellness.
How do you account for the fact that trans folk are already serving, and doing so effectively and with distinction?
8
But it's the certain ones he wants to discharge. Anyone uncertain would just go unnoticed and stay in. As to being incapable, I did just fine as an artillery officer. A friend of mine flew fighter jets in the Gulf War. I could go on. And that was BEFORE the original ban was lifted! We've proven our ability to serve over and over.
5
Good grief, transgendered people ARE certain of who they are.
What a slap in the collective face of transgendered people in the military.
Shame on you.
2
I’m not sure if you think he’ll read this or if you think he can read at all but
tossing in things like this probably won’t win any points with him:
“The president, who dodged the Vietnam War with five deferments..”
This probably won’t help much either:
“The president ... has added immeasurably to the suffering of transgender people ...”
But good try. Your heart’s in the right place.
8
I'm a transgender woman and I served in the USN. My friend, another transgender Army woman, was injured in Iraq fighting for our nation.
Trump never served a moment in his life, and only serves himself even now.
If You are physically able you should be allowed to have the opportunity to serve. It's as simple as that. The cost argument is just facetious. The Pentagon spends over $80 million per year on erectile dysfunction drugs for our troops, while the RAND Corporation has estimated that full medical care for transgender troops would cost less than $10 million.
Many of us don't even want sexual reassignment surgery, including myself. It would take you out of the fighting Corp for 7 months even if you did. Hmm, what else takes about 7-9 months? Oh yeah, being pregnant. So if you are against transgender troops because of some readiness argument you should be against women serving in the military at all.
Besides, a bunch of transgender men on 5 times the testosterone of the average cisgender man would be a potent fighting force. Everyone always forgets about transgender men in the military.
96
Pregnancy is not a cause for a six month absence. Most women serve right up to their delivery with little problem and then after six weeks are right back. As for you not wanting reassignment surgery, how nice for you, but what of others? Also, if you are using hormones, how are you going to use them when you are deployed and they don't have them available? You can't serve if you're diabetic because you need insulin, but you're going to tell me that hormone treatment is always available. No.
3
Right on!
1
Why is it that leftists always bring up Viagra in any discussion of sex? Why is it that they are so resentful of the fact that there is a medical remedy for some men suffering from a medical condition that makes it possible for them to have a satisfying sex life.
It is viewed by leftists as a matter of human rights that women's sex lives be enriched by eliminating the fear of becoming pregnant and for the government to provide abortions in the event they become pregnant.
Have there been any long term studies describing the health effects of individuals who are biologically female taking five times the amount of testosterone of a normal male for a lifetime? That does not sound like something that is going to turn out well.
The Viagra cost is providing health care for many men and a benefit to the their wives, the $10 million is $100,000 per transgender recruit. It is typical leftist math.
3
If another NYT’s Editorial begins with, “The President should” I know that they’ve lost all sense. The so-called President is not capable of thought, except as instinctual self-interest, in the manner of a reptile or rodent. Our nation is in this crisis, in part, due to the Very Serious People whom pretend that this is a normal situation.
16