Know that this administration doesn't speak for all our people. We will come out the other side of these 4 years stronger than ever before. Stand tall and take pride in who you are and never apologize for being YOU. Be safe, be strong, love yourself, and fight against the hate of the ignorant. 16/16

I know that this will likely go unread and unacknowledged, but I had to share my voice. To all my fellow trans and nonbinary service members and civilians, stand together and stand strong. Don't let this hate define who you are. We must support each other and make it through this hatred. 15/16

All because of something I had no control in. I wish I was born in the right body, I wish I didn't have to suffer my whole life whenever I heard my voice or saw my reflection. But to be treated as less than and as a problem that must be corrected has been so invalidating and insulting. 14/16

I have never forced anyone to use female pronouns because I have yet to change it with the Army. I have always placed others' needs above my own. For over 6 years, I have waited to do what others had done more in half that time. Only to now be told that I have no place in the Army. 13/16

"..and his requirement that others honor this falsehood, is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member." I have always put the mission first, even when it meant another year of hating looking in the mirror. I can still pass an ACFT on the male scale. 12/16

Now here I am, 8 years active duty, 1 combat deployment, multiple awards and achievements, being told being trans "conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life. A man’s assertion that he is a woman, ..." 11/ 16

I went off to JBLM so that I would be closer to my surgery locations back in July last year. Got a new treatment plan. I learned I have to wait another year at least to get bottom surgery and vocal feminization. I somehow managed to get top surgery in October. Then, the election happened. 10/16

The problem was that after my consult, the hospital reduced the amount of surgeries they could do a month, so I waited 7 months to finally get it in October 2023. I was over the moon to finally feel more like my true self. My second contract was almost over, so I reenlisted for 3 more years. 9/16

Once they allowed surgeries again, I started the process to get vocal feminization, which included 1 year of vocal therapy. After I completed that, I was off to my consultation, only to find out since I also wanted facial feminization, I needed that first, so I got all that prep done. 8/16

I had to wait another year to get any surgery, so I waited. After that year was over, I started working to get my first surgery, only to find out that they put a stop to all trans related surgeries due to some documents regarding past surgeries. So I waited another year. 7/16

I came back 9 months later, ready to finally start, only to find out the process had been changed. I got a secondary diagnosis to prove I was actually Trans. I got my treatment plan and got it signed. I was finally able to start HRT in October 2019. It was amazing. 6/16

I was given the choice to stay behind and start my transition or put it off for another year to go with my guys. So, I waited another year and deployed to Afghanistan in mid-2018. I received multiple awards and helped set a new FOB
record as well as getting us a Meritorious Unit Citation. 5/16

Because I already had my diagnosis, I was scared that I was going to get kicked out. Thankfully, because I was already in, I was safe. So I kept waiting. After that year was over, I started the process to start transitioning, only to find out I was getting deployed. 4/16

I was advised to wait until I established myself at my unit to start, so I waited. 3 months into being at my first unit, Trump posted that he was kicking all transgender service members. I promptly had my first ever panic attack. I was terrified about what was to come. 3/16

When I went to AIT, I found out I would be allowed to transition while I was still in the Army. I was so ecstatic i rushed yo get my gender dysphoria diagnosis. I quickly learned that because I was still in training, I would have to wait to start HRT. 2/16