I’ve put the critical info in bold:
(Washington, DC: November 30, 2010) The Pentagon today released results of a nine-month-long study that concluded that the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy could be repealed with little impact on the military’s preparedness. The authors noted that many of the objections to service by openly gay men and lesbians were based on stereotypes, not facts, and that the majority of members of the armed forces had already knowingly served with lesbians and gay men without adverse effect.
Within the report’s Frequently Asked Questions section, the Department of Defense reiterated that a change in DADT would not permit transgender servicemembers to serve openly. Transgender people are currently considered medically disqualified for service and can face other roadblocks if they come out while serving. These policies have to change to allow transgender people to serve openly. Several allies of the United States have already repealed similar policies in their own armed forces.
NCTE applauds the Department of Defense for recognizing the unfounded basis for discrimination against lesbian and gay servicemembers. We call on the military to also take action to repeal the policies which bar transgender servicemembers from enlisting or serving openly. Like the policies that currently limit service based on sexual orientation, the bans on service by transgender people are also based on stereotypes and a lack of accurate information. It is also important that the report recognizes that the creation of separate bathroom and sleeping facilities only exacerbates the problems of discrimination, by stigmatizing certain troops.
It is also important that transgender servicemembers recognize that, they will no longer run the risk of being falsely caught up in an investigation about their sexual orientation if DADT is repealed, but they still remain at significant risk for discharge if they reveal their gender identity. NCTE encourages all transgender servicemembers who have concerns or are considering coming out to contact the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network SLDN hotline to speak with a staff attorney: 202-328-3244 x100. Early this year, NCTE and SLDN released information for transgender servicemembers, which we urge you to consult.
The Senate is due to consider DADT repeal in hearings on Thursday and Friday this week. Advocates for DADT repeal are urging people to call their Senators to end this discriminatory policy. Read the action alert from SLDN here: http://www.sldn.org/content/pages/2313/ or contact your Senator by calling the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.IF YOU NEED HELP
SLDN continues to provide much-needed legal services to transgender people caught up in DADT or being discharged because of their transgender identity. If you need help, call 202-328-3244 x100 or email legal@sldn.org to schedule an appointment with an SLDN attorney. If you have concerns about your status, please contact them right away.
We know that this situation is unfair and wrong and we will keep working to change it. But until those changes come down the road, we want you and your family to be safe.