GenderLife Forum: The Information Exchange

Wow.

Monica's been working on this survey for some time. This is a survey done about transsexual veterans who are members of TAVA, it is done by transsexuals for transsexuals.

IT is the first of its kind.

Based on what I have seen here, I am going to join TAVA. I'm eligible. Diane Schroer is a member. Autumn Sandeen is a member.

Heck, Calpernia may even be a member.

This survey is critical, as it shows how the federal government treats its veterans, and it shows that they do it on the basis of their being transgender.

It will only apply to you if you are a veteran.

If you weren't included, then join TAVA. THey are little weird at times, but great people (Monica posts regularly at Bilerico.com, btw, and Autumn posts at Pam's House Blend).

They are working on your behalf. They work really long hours and spend their money, which they have very little of, on trying to improve your life.

ErikaE3, who I hope still posts here, also does that.

You don't have to do so.

But don't take your unwillingness to do so as some sort of badge of honor, or be jealous over it.

And I have one more post to make.

Ooooh, I hope my response also didn't come across negatively. If I'm cynical, it's because I work in the corporate world, and I see what actually motivates business decisions and change. It's the bottom line.

As an example, while surveys like this are useful in some sense, I can give an example that would likely have more impact.

Why should the VA offer trans benefits?
The US military is facing a difficult time recruiting members. Who wants to actually sign up, when there is a war going on, after all? Only the truly desperate, that's who. It's no surprise that the majority of recruits are from minorities and the lower economic tiers of society. They recruit from these classes by offering job training, college funding, etc. During WW2 blacks were barely tolerated in the military, but are now completely integrated (in theory at least). How could they broaden their pool further? Who is amongst the most truly desperate in society? Us transgendered folk. If the VA offered TG benefits, and the military actively recruited TG, it would help their bottom line -- making their recruiting numbers.

I'm not making any statement about my views on the morality of such a statement, whether it's right or wrong. Simply that it is an argument that might persuade within the military.

As for TAVA, I'm glad that these people have an 'agenda'. A synonym for agenda with a more positives connotation is 'purpose'. Helps prevents Brownian motion, and makes it more likely that you'll eventually end up somewhere interesting, IMHO.

darling i work in the corporate world too and i dont take a blind bit of notice of surveys and statistics as they are usually wrong

But hey you know what i mean and why we dont

Put anything up in here is like trying to get silver coin out of the bottom of the piranhas fish tank with a fresh scrape on the back of your hand...

My lord can pick any more fly poop out of the spilled black pepper ya all ?

besides it not always about YOU ... relax enjoy the info take it for what is worth and move on.. heck i have i even participated in that survey.

And the VA has saved my life a couple of times thus far.. once with a ruptured appendix. .. They are kind generous and treat me with dignity and respect.. No they dont pay for srs or boob jobs or ffs but will help on cost of HRT. But what do you want for nothing? They will cover ya medically for most things outside GID.

Far as the TAVA more power to them. Since what i have seen here is most transitioning now in a time of corporate tolerance to transitioning employee's. An ya ungrateful lil witches think its only cause they love you so much.. well lot of these older folks paid a great price and lost much and suffered more than you will ever hopefully know or endure. And it was that very activism that cleared and showed big biz that it's the person and their skills and knowledge that matter most. AND before ya piranhas chew my arm off i know it no less uneasy or painful now if something goes wrong with transition. So i guess what i am getting at is quit trying to shit in everyones mess kits. (dinner plate to non military people) it just a study and info.. get on with getting on will ya .. and quit yappin about someone yappin get a feckin life will ya ?

and so long so long and thanks for the fish

I agree with Rachel about all benefits being recruiting tools. therefore I want to repeal all military benefits. I want to follow the constitution and only allow the U.S. government to have a standing army for defensive purposes. And I want all wars to require Congressional declaration.

Now as to fighting for fair treatment I think that is excellent. But lets get our country out of the war business unless we as a country are truly threatened. That doesn't mean invading innocent countries when 4,000 people die because of some nut cases. We loose that many on our highways each and every month. Half the highway deaths are caused by stone cold sober drivers too but that is a different discussion. I just thought I'd toss it in for a sobering perspective.

sorry but what you trying to say here ana ?

as it seems to me you are getting mighty angry and getting the wrong end of the stick
i dont do activism or believe in statistics at all and we dont go by them as a rule in my company .....
some do though

and if someone has a differ in opinion then thats fine too

Calm down dear its only a cyber forum

As a former member of the military who was discharged for a Personality Disorder, I can totally relate to the needs of all veterans who need these services from the VA. I have been denied services from the VA for GID as well as the medical community. As a matter of fact I just got bared from my medical clinic in a public housing building because of my Gender Issues. Guess fracking what I'M DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT, I'm not afraid of being out as a transwoman. I'm proud of who and what I am, if your not go hide in stealth and to hell with you. We have a responsibility to make the world a better place for the next generation. I have even volunteered my time at our new GLBT Community Center that has opened in my neighborhood. If your not going to help GET LOST, but if you want a better life for those of us who need it get up to bat and let's do something about it. Shooting down groups that take an effort to research us will do us no good we should be putting out all effort to make this research pay off. So what if someone gets ahead doing so, THAT'S WHAT AMERICA IS ALL ABOUT!!!!

And participation is voluntary, anyway.

If one does not feel comfortable participating in surveys due to ideology, politics, religion or whatever, that should be respected too.

Activism is a form to get ahead in life in itself while helping others. Commendable, and hopefully recognized. But asking for that recognition beforehand is a bit too much IMO.

If someone comes and screams: "Praise me! I'm going to improve the world!" I tell her (or him): "Sorry, first improve the world and then the praise will come by itself."

Your right Marcella about everything you said and I don't have a problem with that. What I do have a problem with is everybody that complain about there right's being trampled on yet refuse to do a bloody thing about it.
As a legislative activist for both the Trans & Disability community I have found that I get more done behind the scenes without having to be the face on the movement. I do try to lead by example though and if asked to I will step up and do my part. I don't ask for pay or recognition that's just not what I'm doing it for, my goal is to make the world a better place for all that come after me.

I respect your efforts and those of the vet group. I think its wonderful to press for rights for any group being subjected to discrimination. I am also a veteran. I have changed however from supporting our wars to opposing them. This does create sort of a dilemma. I support no efforts that result in encouraging the government and the military/industrial complex. I truly believe this country - our country - has lost its direction in affairs with the world. So I will cheer groups that fight for non discrimination but I will also support dismantling all military benefits because all they do in my opinion is lure reluctant or willing young warriors into donning uniforms and waging war. Do you see the dilemma? We do not need benefit packages to raise armies in defense of The U.S. if it is threatened and those who serve during times like wwII should certainly receive care and other after defense rewards for protecting all of us. But the elite of this country use benefit packages also to raise armies for other not so admirable purposes. Tough equation. I believe as Einstein stated that governments will never cease wars because wars are initiated to gain some perceived advantage over other nations for the benefit of the ruling elite. We the people must demand that this country cease from aggression and attempts to police the world to our benefit. I'm not so sure where to put my efforts towards that because I strongly support strong defense against aggressors but I don't count Iraq as an aggressor nor Afghanistan for that matter.

Unfortunately separating support of true defense as the constitution specifies from aggression is problematic when the leadership lies and uses propaganda techniques to deceive us all.