Trans & Deployed: Keith Thompson Shares His Story

As LGBT people and allies celebrate the one-year anniversary of the repeal of the so-called ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy, OutServe, an organization that serves as a resource for LGBT service members, is calling attention to the experiences of trans soldiers. Guest author, who has chosen the pseudonym “Keith Thompson,” writes of the complexities of feeling accepted by other members, passing as a man, being regarded as a lesbian and incidents of discrimination in his unit. Keith’s anonymous account is a reminder that there are still dedicated service members who, despite enormous sacrifice, are unable to serve openly.