Comments on: I Bet You Were Wondering What's New With DADT

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 03:56:28 +0000

thanks megan! i should’ve known you’d be all over this.

By: duchessofdykedom

duchessofdykedom — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:45:57 +0000

You missed the larger point of supporting institutionalized violence. Not a ‘victory’ in my book.

http://ordoesitexplode.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/why-i-wont-be-celebrating-the-repeal-of-dadt-queer-soldiers-are-still-agents-of-genocide/

By: macmac89

macmac89 — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:14:31 +0000

I know I’m replying to myself, but I just wanted to summarize: the only way trans people will ever be able to serve is if GID is removed from the DSM.

By: macmac89

macmac89 — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:12:00 +0000

I replied to the OP with this, too, but I’ll give it to you as well!

While it is true that trans people are barred from serving, it’s not because of the military, per se. Because gender identity disorder is in the DSM, trans individuals will be classified as being medically disqualified on the basis of mental health issues. The same is true for people with histories of depression, ADD, or anything else in the DSM. I’m not discounting the fact that trans people can’t serve, just pointing out that it’s not related to a purely military decision–the military is prohibited from taking people who are classified as ill, even that classification is totally unjustified.

By: macmac89

macmac89 — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:11:31 +0000

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:59:56 +0000

it’s a victory because lbg people now have the right to choose if they want to participate or not.

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:53:45 +0000

thanks for pointing that it. you’re right, there should be discussion of trans* issues with dadt. i try not to write about things i don’t understand, though, so i didn’t include it. i know that’s not an excuse not to address it, but maybe someone who’se more qualified could do it justice.

By: duchessofdykedom

duchessofdykedom — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:29:26 +0000

LGB’s may have won this battle, but we’ve surely lost the war. Tell me what is so fantastic about LGB peeps being able to openly serve and sacrifice their lives in illegal wars of aggression for imperialist political objectives? To become equally available to be used as cannon fodder for the corporate war profiteers and the agendas of those with political power? I don’t consider this a ‘success’.

By: Nico

Nico — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 06:48:31 +0000

I feel like a lot of people think that if we can get lgb rights in the military, it’s a step closer to gaining acceptance for trans* people. Every little step counts.

By: sb

sb — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 05:07:56 +0000

i’m really disappointed that in this discussion of dadt, there’s not a single mention of the fact that trans* individuals are barred from the military. obviously the repeal of dadt is good news for lgb individuals, but it is by no means enough.

By: space

space — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:48:46 +0000

man fuck michele bachmann and her saying she would reinstate the policy. if obama is re-elected (i feel like he has a good chance), DADT will for sure never make a comeback.

anyway, i’m excited for the countdown…34 days. i’m wondering if anything will be mentioned at work that day.

By: Paper0Flowers

Paper0Flowers — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:36:36 +0000

*sigh* It’s too bad that the news can’t be better about what will happen when DADT is dismantled…