It may be February, but I’m still thrilled to see a new year on the calendar. That isn’t to say that everything was bad in 2020, but I think we can all agree there were some significant challenges.
In my final column of the year, I expressed my contempt for former President Trump’s policies, among them his rescinding of health protections for transgender individuals. In my first column of 2021, I am breathing a sigh of relief after President Biden repealed the military ban for transgender Americans.
Many of my friends and family are affiliated with the military in some way. One of my closest connections is that my father went through Marine basic training, although a health issue ended his military career before it really began. I have a great deal of respect for the military and for anyone who chooses to dedicate their professional career to their country.
My oldest daughter, who is almost 16, is seriously considering becoming a military nurse. Like all my kids, I told her that if that is her dream, I support her 100%.
Until Biden’s decision to repeal the ban, military service was not an option to my youngest child. My eleven-year-old transgender son would not have been allowed to seek out a pathway to the military, simply because our country’s former leader banned people like him from serving in all of its branches.
Early in his term, Trump announced via Twitter that transgender individuals could no longer serve their country. In 2019, the Pentagon carried out his orders and policies were implemented that meant transgender individuals could only serve if they were representing their biological sex.
Data from all branches of the military currently show that there are fewer than 15,000 transgender individuals that are considered active duty. Thousands of military members are diagnosed with gender dysphoria every year, and our government has data that tracks all of this.
I felt disgusted by Trump’s discriminatory ban, just as I felt infuriated when he rescinded health protections that the LGBTQ community so desperately needs. There are so many inequities within our country – and the basic right of being treated fairly and respectfully without discrimination or bias, Trump chose to do away with. I am not sure why these acts were so important to him, but they seem to be rooted in ignorance and hatred.
While the last thing I want to do with my first column of 2021 is talk about Trump, the facts must be cited. Biden promised to do away with the transgender military ban his first day – and while he was a few days late, the fact that this was prioritized and done swiftly is simply inspiring. It also wasn’t his first LGBTQ-affirming action in office.
During such a dark time for so many, his announcement really made my day. The White House released a fact sheet to go along with the ban being lifted, and there were some amazing directives.
“All Americans who are qualified to serve in the armed forces of the United States should be able to serve” really resonated with me. We are all Americans after all, and that was a reminder at this unifying commonality.
Naturally, the part about being qualified to serve was a perfect reminder that military service is about being able to work for the betterment of this country, not about what genitalia someone doing so may have under their uniform. Putting it that way, the insidious nature of Trump’s former policy is laid bare.
My little dude is always talking about playing football when he gets older (and bigger) and what he wants to do when he “grows up.” That can now include military service. I love these conversations and I have had them with all my four kids. I want nothing more than my children to live long, healthy and fulfilled lives.
He has said he wants to be a vet when he grows up. He wants to play football in high school. He said he might want to do something to help others. As his mom, I will do my best to help him achieve all his goals and dreams.
When the military ban happened, Jake was talking about law enforcement as a future career aspiration. I remember it clearly, because I thought; “if Jake is banned from military service, then possibly becoming a police officer is out too.” I was panicked even pondering what that conversation would have looked like.
2021 is off to a chaotic start, but I am remaining optimistic for the future under our new leadership. I want a peaceful and loving world for all my kids, including my transgender child. I believe we all deserve to do what we want with our private lives, careers and families.
I dream of a more united country and a more inclusive world in general. Lifting the transgender military ban was a great first step regarding inclusion and diversity, but we have a long way to go.
I will leave you with this final quote from the fact sheet released about the president’s decision. The last part gave me chills.
“President Joe Biden believes gender identity should not be a ban to military service and America’s strength is found in its diversity,” it reads. I completely agree.
Sylvie Trevena is a proud mom of four whose eclectic interests include hairdressing, horror movies, mental health, advocacy and writing. She holds a BS in Behavioral Healthcare and an MBA.
