For One Georgia Soldier, Transgender Ban Prompts Painful Decision
Aven Thomas began medically transitioning from female to male in 2021, just months after then-President Joe Biden signed an executive order allowing transgender people to serve openly in the U.S. military. The result was so gratifying for the U.S. Army specialist that he compared it to turning on a light in pitch darkness. “When you […]
Fort Carson Soldier One of 1,000 Leaving After Transgender Ban Temporarily Upheld
Fort Carson Sgt. Mason Benavides is leaving an Army that no longer wants him. He is one of about 1,000 military service members voluntarily leaving, the Department of Defense announced Thursday after a Supreme Court order that said the Trump administration’s ban on transgender soldiers could be enforced. The Supreme Court order allows the military […]
Transgender Troops, Confronting Shifting Policies of Acceptance, Just Want to Serve
Bree Fram was an Air Force major in 2016 when word came down that the Obama administration would soon be lifting its ban on transgender troops serving in the military following a yearlong study and orders for commanders to educate themselves and their units on integrating transgender personnel. It was during President Barack Obama’s first […]