Just a little note here. I don't do my research like I should and I tend to get busy so writing every day isn't going to happen. Expect a new post every other day. Monday, Wednesday and Friday or Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (or Sunday). I'll find a consistent work habit at some point in time, I promise.
I've written about how trans people are not allowed in the military. I have a feeling, after the article about the retired Navy servicewoman whose gender was successfully changed from male to female, that there are an untold number of transgender people in the military just waiting for the right time to "come out". The higher up you are in the military, the longer you've been in the military and the branch of service all plays a part in how honest and open you feel you can be during and after you are active. Kristin Beck is now a hero of mine for two reasons: Serving my country for 20 years and for being so open about her transition after being a Navy SEAL.
It's so hard to not be who you want to be. Turning it off "like a light switch" is no easy task, I don't care who you are. Gay, straight, trans, cis, asexual, pansexual - whatever you identify as, you can only deny who you are for so long. Don't Ask Don't Tell prohibited gays from being honest about their sexual preference until 2011. The current policy completely bans transgender people. All it takes is one person to set something into motion. One idea, one desire to be true to yourself in the public eye.
We see this apparent in more than the military. Not to downplay the immense courage it takes to come out to family and loved ones as transgender. To be in the public eye has got to be so daunting and so "vexing". Every story is as unique as the names we select. Some of us pick names that can translate across genders as androgynous: Alex, Sam, Jamie. Some of us pick names that can be feminized/masculinized: Christopher and Kristen, Phillip and Phyllis, Brianna and Brian. Nicknames are easier that way. There are others, like myself, who completely change it up. I went from Megan to Colby. I have a friend who went from Andrew to Jennifer. It's almost like naming a child. I'll admit it: I heard my full name from someone other than myself for the first time since legally changing it in March and it was amazing. I knew at that moment that the struggle and fear and insecurities and journey was absolutely worth it.
We have Jason Collins who has been deemed the "first openly gay" basketball player. Being gay is intense, when in the public eye. However, that's only because of the inconsiderate bigots who can't stand to support human rights. What the hell, really? Balian Buschbaum, the former German pole vaulter, has got to be one of the most attractive men I've EVER seen. He was born a she. So amazing. To go from the Olympics to "Let's Dance" (which is Germany's "Dancing With The Stars") in such a handsome, seemingly-flawless fashion is inspiration. He has the kind of transition we all wish for. And the results we'd kill for.
What I don't understand is why there is more "tolerance and acceptance" in professional sports than in our own military, in our own society. There's insensitivity and fear in every day society (you and me) because we aren't famous. Why is that? We should be more accepted due to the fact that we don't have hundreds or thousands of people looking up to us as role models. And you and I both know that not all of the people who come out as gay or transgender want to be a role model. Personally, I hope that there will come a time when I can be a role model on a much bigger stage than within my own personal life. I love how it was put in an article about NFL players potentially coming out. "Perhaps some day in the future, a player's sexuality won't even be a big story anymore"
It's my hope that some day, being gay or transgender won't matter. We will simply be human beings with all the rights we deserve.
Resources:
"The Latest Navy Seal Book Could Impact the Military's Transgender Rules", The Atlantic Wire, J.K. Trotter, 2013
"Transgender Navy SEAL 'Warrior Princess' Comes Out", ABC News/Advanced Press, Lee Ferran, 2013
Balian Buschbaum bio, wikipedia
"Roger Goodell: Gay NFL player 'will be accepted'", Around The League, Gregg Rosenthal, 2013
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000168350/article/roger-goodell-gay-nfl-player-will-be-accepted
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