Transgender Soldiers US Military: End-of-Life Struggles | BBC Thai

After being a soldier in the United States for 17 years, Major Karacore, 39 -year -old, has arrived in an important moment of life. She is preparing to attend the ceremony from the advanced military leadership curriculum.

No one expected that The success that only reaches will have obstacles. Because only two days before the ceremony Kara was ordered that She must comply with the rules of the army set for male military officers. Which means that she has to change to wear a male military uniform And will have to cut the hair long and lonely, golden blonde Although the kara has been long hair for a long time since 2018, which was the year that she informed the supervisor in the army that Decided to transgender into a full woman

The order prohibits transgender soldiers to serve the nation in the US military. From the Ministry of Defense or Pennthon Before broadcasting down to the Fort Levenworth in the state of Kara

“Nothing in me, who is a man But our army forced me to comply with the rules of the male soldiers. Just to walk up to the stage And attended the graduation ceremony with friends only, “Kara said before the graduation ceremony began a few hours later. “I didn’t choose my own hair. But I did it because I had to do it. “

Kara is one of thousands of transgender American soldiers. Which was affected by the ban of President Donald Trump, announced at the beginning of the year in January In which the said order prohibits transgender people to work in the army absolutely Regardless of the position

Trump has issued an order in this way once. In the first period of being a US president Many years ago But at that time, forbidden, just not accepting new soldiers who are transgender. But still allowing those who are stationed and keep the transgender status.

Official statistics stating that There are approximately 4,200 transgender soldiers in the US military, but the numbers of other organizations are expected to actually be up to 10,000 people.

New policy for the Trump government army Stated that those with medical history, who have been diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria (GD) or a condition that they feel that they are another gender that does not match the gender. “Considered to be inappropriate for high levels of physical and mental standards Which is necessary to serve the nation “

The said management order Also emphasized the position of President Trump that “Every army has been damaged by extreme sexual ideology.” But this new policy will make the army confident that “The soldiers will not have any medical disorders or physical defects that can be seen as appropriate. May have to leave for many days to receive the necessary treatment. Or have to stay in the hospital “

The said order also states that “The man insisted that he was a woman And also calling for others to honor their own lie Not consistent with the morality of the heart, humility and selfishness Which all soldiers need to have “

Gallup Poll survey results made in February. In the past, 58% of Americans wanted transgender men and transgender women. Can be a soldier in the army openly as before But this statistics decreased from 66% in 2021 and 71% in 2019

There was a criticism that The order prohibits transgender people as soldiers, namely social discrimination. With many transgender soldiers in the army Including many human rights organizations Filed a lawsuit against this order

Since February Of this year onwards The BBC news team followed the change of life of Major Kara Corg Ran and the US Navy’s Ek Timberle. After they have to face uncertainty in the military career. Both of them described their feelings and opinions as a person. Which is not a spokesman for the army or representatives of the military friends in any way

Kara lives almost all adults in the army. Had been fighting war many times Including missions in Afghanistan In which she used to be both Lieutenant and Company Commander At that time, her sexual identity was still a man. But after Kara has transgender She has changed the name and gender in the registration legally. And turned to use the pronoun instead of himself

In the past, the United States had prohibiting transgender people to work in all types of work in the army, but in 2016, the government of President Barack Obama allows transgender people to be soldiers and operate in the army openly. Causing throughout the 10 years after that There is a policy change in the above issues.

Kara commented on the said situation that “I can only be quiet. Can only be peaceful for a long time. “She said that the reason is because in the year 2008, which she just joined with the new US military, the female soldiers have not been allowed to fight. She herself decided to marry women and have children as expected of society. But later ended up divorce And she had to fight the true sexual identity

Until 2018, Kara decided to reveal their identity as transgender women. By starting the hormonal and sexual surgery immediately She said that at that time was well supported by the supervisor. Because they still hold the old rules that give sexual freedom Although the first Trump government has issued an order prohibiting transgender people as a soldier since 2017.

Carab said that the transgender process allows her to serve the nation as a soldier. “It made me concentrate and more determination. While also adjusting the flexibility as well People misunderstand that transgender is a burden of the army. But for me, it’s the opposite. “

However, when Trump’s new banned commands come into effect The supervisor told Kara that If she doesn’t voluntarily resign by herself Will be dismissed by the Involuntary Separation, forced to be out of the army in the end Which this type of dismissal Can happen to all transgender soldiers Regardless of whether he or she has a duty to go out to fight or not.

Transgender soldiers that were discharged without voluntarily In addition to losing a stable job position May have to lose welfare, such as pension, subsidies, medical expenses, and financial assistance. Which the US Department of Defense said that transgender soldiers who do not agree to submit a resignation May receive only half of the welfare of people who voluntarily resign themselves. Which this difference may reach tens of thousands of US dollars

Despite being forced like that But Kara still does not want to say goodbye from the army “I will absolutely not submit the resignation. But will enter the disarmament process No matter what it is Regardless of how bad they are for me and other soldiers. “

One of the people who supported Trump’s transgender commander, such as Carl Hickby, the former US Navy seal unit. He is now a television host on Newsmax News Station, which is a news channel of the conservative department.

Higby believes that transgender people are not suitable for being a soldier. Because people with GD may have to continue medical treatment for a long time. As well as may need special help and support Which will affect the ability to enter the army

Higby asked “You will accept Yaritalin (Ritalin) that is used to treat short meditation. Including the drugs that some doctors cannot order This may make you a soldier who is not ready to go out to fight. I don’t understand why you have to receive hormones. Which we know that it sometimes affects the state of mind and emotions? “

When the BBC correspondent asked Higby’s opinion Regarding the case of some women who were female Must receive hormones to treat certain symptoms as well, such as menopause Will this group be a soldier? Higby responded, “Sometimes we should be interested in killing the bad guys. Rather than being worried about the sexual quota of the military Especially with the forces that have to go out for battle. “

The order prohibits transgender people as a soldier. Considered as part of the major policy change of the US Army, Pete Hexeth, former military officer and the Defense Minister, who Trump appointed. Followed the country’s management guidelines of the current US leaders, with the extension of the Democrats old government policy. That focuses on creating a variety Equality And projects that break the separation walls

In February In the past, Hexith said at the US Department of Defense. Or Pennthon that “The most stupid statement in the army’s history Is the saying that The diversity is our strength. “

Later in April Hexith also posted a message on social media “X” (X), stating that he ordered the end of the project “Women Peace and Stability” to close up with great pride. Because the initiative that focuses on inviting women and girls to participate in the conflict to be resolved Considered as a disturbing the main mission of the army Which actually must “Fighting in the war” is important.

Some transgender soldiers began to see their own future before others. Such as the Ake Ray Timberlak, immediately decided to make a big change in life. After finding that Donald Trump won the election as a new US leader on November 6, 2024

This non-binary transgender group has been a soldier in the navy since only 17 years of age.

Ray said that he was an transgender person. Because despite having sex as a woman But felt that he was not both a woman and male Causing this group of people to use the pronouns instead of “they” (TheM) instead.

Ray said that he revealed his identity as the first sleep in 2020. “As soon as he heard the word lying Naree. I can feel that it is perfect with me. “

When Trump won the US presidential election in 2024, Ray recognized again that Time in the military career is about to run out. Ray therefore relocated from the original navy base in the west coast. Come to station closer to the family At the east coast base Because the family will provide the best support and encouragement

Ray and his wife and daughter Hurried to move to a new house, even though it was still in the middle of the education sector Because it is expected that the enforcement measures are active Which cannot be avoided “It is probably the safest way for us. If I would really be forced to be discharged, “Ray said.

Memorandum of policy messages at the US Department of Defense Published in February Stated that the military bases must show the soldiers with symptoms or diagnosed with the GD line of death Which is on June 6 for soldiers who are still stationed and perform their normal duties As for the reserve personnel and members of the National Guard, which are transgender Reported by July 7

Information announced by the Ministry of Defense in May Stating that there are 1,000 soldiers who have across sex Although the message of the Ministry of Defense states that the army must start the disarmament process within 30 days from the time specified for the transgender soldiers to end.

Memorandum of the Ministry of Defense Also specified the exceptions for some GD people to not have to enter the discharge process. “If never trying to cross Or change yourself to another gender first. “However, the exception depends on the case of cases.

When the statement was published Ray has already moved to get a new position in Marriland. As for the family, it is adapting to the new way of life. “To see Ray losing a career It is very painful, “Ray’s wife Lindse said. “We must be in a state of survival. There is no time to connect the relationship within the family. Because it is always stressed about difficult decisions. “

For Ray This change has a great impact on the state of mind. Ray wants to control his own path in the future. Therefore chose to show himself as a transgender soldier and submit a voluntary resignation Although the army is still not responding to Ray’s request or not. But Ray believes that it will be like that.

Ray expects that the financial impact will occur. From a sudden loss of careers in the army Should have a fairly severe effect Because Ray has been in the navy for less than 20 years, so do not meet the right to receive pensions. Which Ray may accumulate up to 2.5 million US dollars If he was retired as usual

Although the US Department of Defense states that the order of the transgender soldiers will help maintain medical standards. And the readiness of the mission of all troops But the parties saw that This policy aimed at the weak, unjustly weak groups.

Currently, 3 cases have been filed with the court to oppose the order of transgender soldiers that they are unlawful. In the case of a central government judge Has temporarily suspended the enforcement of transgender Due to fear that it may be against the constitution And is considered a separation of sexual identity

However, in April The Supreme Court has decided to cancel the order of the Court of First Instance. Allowing the Trump government to walk in front of this policy again Although the lawsuit is not over yet The decision of the court and the law changed back and forth like this. Causing the transgender soldiers to fall into a powerless condition And couldn’t do anything

Ray, who began to find a job in the civilian sector Said that the current work is very rare “I applied for a job that was submitted to 800 people on the same day.” Ray also said that The life of civilians is much lower than when in the army. “The outside world is more competitive and more scary.” But the next chapter of life must not “The feeling of being threatened because of what I was”

Kara did not come out to show himself to the army as a transgender. Even after the deadline, on June 6, she is now waiting to see that Will the army mean to be forced to be discharged? The specified time frame for 30 days after the deadline Pointed out that the disarming force will occur within July 6, which Kara is waiting to see what will happen after that

The US Department of Defense Refused to answer BBC’s questions But referred to the original statement stating that There is a commitment to treat all soldiers that are affected by the ban. With respect and honor very well One of the Ministry of Defense officials said “The results of the efficiency and ethics of this group of military operations Will be at a level that should be appreciated (Honourable) unless that has a history of otherwise Which indicates that it should be evaluated at a lower level. “

Now, Kara is still living at the Forti Ventage base. But preparing to move out at any time when there is a discharge order She changed her car into a mobile car. Which installed a large battery Kitchen And the bed is already folded “On the roof of the car, there are 8 gallons of water, I use compressed pumps to fill the water. Makes it easy to shower even in the middle of the forest At least I have a place to sleep. “

Carab said about his feelings when attending the graduation ceremony. In which she achieved the advanced military leadership curriculum with honors But had to dress with male military uniforms and short haircuts that “This ceremony is very meaningful to me. But what I have to do to join Makes it feel like held your own identity. “

“This is the person who dedicated his life to serve the nation. But now they are denied that it is no longer appropriate. Not because of the work, but because of what they are, “Kara concluded.