I find it very disturbing that our proud veterans are being turned away by the VA because of who they are. We served our country honorably and proudly and the VA medical benefits we earned should not be denied or diminished simply because of the direction our lives took after discharge from active service.
–Monica Helms, President of Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA)

This survey produced the first significant, empirical documentation on transgender people who’ve served in the military. Per TAVA, the survey of 827 U.S. military veterans and active-duty personnel represented results for the approximately 300,000 veterans in the US who identify as being transgender.

Key findings from the survey:

• Survey participants ranged across all branches of the service, with the highest proportion having served in the Army (38%) or Navy (29%).

• Nearly one third of the survey participants reported having experienced some form of discrimination in the workplace; the same amount reported some other form of non-employment related discrimination, such as being unable to obtain identification documents that reflected their new name and gender.

• Of the 660 participants who identified as transsexual, 97% reported they were unable to transition before leaving the military.

• A full 38% of survey respondents reported that when they were in the military, people suspected or directly asked if they were gay. In addition, 14% had been questioned by an officer about their sexual orientation.

• These violations of “don’t ask, don’t tell” varied by gender. Transmen were almost two times more likely to report they were suspected of being gay than transwomen.

[Below the fold: More findings from the survey; Palm Center statement on the findings.]

• About a third of those using the VA hospital had broached the subject of medical gender transitions with the VA staff. Most of them had their requests denied.

• Respondents reported organizational discrimination at the VA in a lack of clear and consistent practice, with little support for gender transitions. In addition, there were many reports of interpersonal discrimination, via lack of respect from VA doctors, non-medical staff, and nurses.

Nathaniel Frank, Ph.D., (Senior Research Fellow, Palm Center, University of California, Santa Barbara), said this in relation to the Palm Center’s evaluation of the TAVA survey data:

This study brings us important empirical data about a group of people many would like to forget about. It shows what a yawning gap there is between the treatment of transgender Americans and the ideals of equality professed by the U.S. military. It also reminds us how much more research is needed to grasp the full scope of this problem and to find ways to improve the treatment of those who have served our country.

Next time you think about Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, or think about gay and lesbian veterans, take a moment out to consider that the LGBT community has gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender veterans. And, consider that when we here the phrases supporting our troops or supporting our veterans, our country often underserves more members of our community than just gay and lesbian servicemembers and veterans.

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Further reading:
* TAVA Media Release: Palm Center Analysis of Transgender Veterans Survey Finds Discrimination by the Military and Veterans Administration
* Michael D. Palm Center: Palm Center Releases Study on Gender Identity in U.S. Military

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Related:
* The Transgender American Veterans Association
* Col. Diane Schroer (Ret.) Getting Her Day In The News
* Col. Diane Schroer (Ret.) Getting Her Day In Court
* Remembering Our Veterans