Rainbow Umbrella

As society opens to more tolerance and understanding toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals, people are talking more about issues that have been shrouded in silence until recently. Transgender individuals are currently forbidden to serve in all branches of the U.S. military. An estimated 15,500 transgender people serve in silence despite the formal policy excluding them. The CBS Evening News told one story that ended in discharge recently.

After years of polite and persistent requests, the organizers of the Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade made a big step forward in 2015: they opened the march to openly gay individuals. Previously, all efforts by LGBT groups to show their pride of being both Irish and gay had to stay silent on the sidelines in all the major events on the biggest day of Gaelic pride in America.

After Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Following the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy regarding gay service members, sexual preference was no longer a justification for discharge from the military. Transgender people were not affected by the revoked policy, however, as the regulation forbidding them in all branches of the service remains in place. While he can’t unilaterally change the military’s policy, President Obama took some action on the issue last year, issuing an executive order forbidding federal contractors from discriminating in hiring on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Marching With Pride

After years of being sidelined at the marches that define Irish pride throughout the country, gays are able to proudly show their identity this year in Boston’s venerable celebration. Other big cities still lag behind. New York’s parade continues to be closed to a visible gay presence. Some LGBT individuals note that oppression in society happens precisely when one group decides that the differences of another group warrant exclusion. Seeing similarities and bonds between people, on the other hand, allows communities to come together across divides that have traditionally separated them.

Suitability for Service

Newly confirmed Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, when asked about transgender troops serving in the Army, recently said, “I don’t think anything but their suitability for service should preclude them.” Some in the LGBT community have viewed Secretary Carter’s statements with optimism, believing them to indicate an openness to change in the service. Recent Army policy change removes the power to discharge for gender identity from the local commanders and vests it much higher up the chain of command, giving some protection to transgender soldiers; but it only affects one branch of the military.

Learning to Understand

The story of a soldier who was discharged due to sexual identity on the national evening news brings the issue into the homes of millions of Americans. With awareness can come understanding. For many people, the issues surrounding transgender identity are confusing and even frightening. As more people come to see LGBT individuals of all types for the human beings that they are, tolerance and acceptance begin to grow. Policies change slowly at first, but often accelerate their progress as momentum builds and awareness gathers.

Waiting With Hope

For those who have been forced out of service or forced to serve in silence due to their gender identity, the changes cannot come soon enough. As the country comes to understand gender identity issues more fully, institutions and policies progress toward inclusion and tolerance. Change never comes without effort; equality comes as more and more people demand it. This applies not only to those in the LGBT community who show their courage by living their true selves, but to allies who speak up and add to political will in order to change long-standing injustices.

Building Momentum for Change

More people are discovering connections that bring them together across divides of gender preference and identity. As cultural celebrations like St. Patrick’s Day parades open to full acceptance, other institutions with traditions of exclusion see the example and will follow.