Everybody, it's Doc V from Call, Sign, Wizard, and today, the first thing I want to do is thank you for coming and listening today. Also, I wish you all a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Whether you're still traveling or now spending time with friends and family, take a moment and really reflect on what you're thankful for. As we gather to give thanks, it's important to remember that for some of our veterans and service members, especially transgender service members, The future really feels uncertain right now. Today we're tackling that critical and timely issue, the banning of transgender individuals from military service. We're going to look at what that means for those still serving, for those transitioning from the military into civilian life, and for us as therapists. How are we going to support veterans navigating that transition, that weight of this moment in history? We're going to explore the history of transgender care, the military's policies over the last couple years, and how we as therapists can make a difference. Because when policies clash with identities, the consequences can ripple far and wide, not just for the individual, but also for their families, their units, and for entire communities. Welcome back to Call Sign Wizard. It's the podcast for therapists who work with veterans, and I'm your host, Doc V, a veteran, therapist, and your guide to understanding the unique challenges veterans face. Each week, we're going to dive into critical topics like PTSD, chronic pain, military culture, and evidence based treatments to help you better understand and serve those who served. Whether you're a seasoned therapist or new to working with veterans, this podcast is here to provide the insights, tools, and support that you need. So before we dive into the military's policies on transgender service members, let's take a step back and learn about the broader history of transgender care. This is not a new conversation. This has been going on for centuries and in the last couple decades it's really evolved. In the mid 20th century we had people experiencing what we now call gender dysphoria and they were labeled as mentally ill. Our treatments at that time were focused on conformity, forcing individuals to align their behaviors. with their assigned sex at birth. This was and is known as conversion therapy, and it was the commonly and widely accepted approach at the time. But here's the reality, here's what we know now. Conversion therapy wasn't just ineffective, it was harmful. We have studies and we have lived experiences that consistently show that conversion therapy and these practices lead to increased rates of mental health issues, increased depression, increased anxiety, increased substance abuse. and increased suicidal ideation. We have organizations like the APA, the American Psychological Association, and the American Medical Association that condemn conversion therapy for its lack of scientific validity and its significant risk of psychological harm. We do have Even as far back as the 1950s, pioneers like Dr. Harry Benjamin advocated for a different path. Instead of looking at how we can change the mind to align with the body, he suggested that we align the body with the mind. These early efforts at gender affirming care were rare and stigmatized even at that time, but they laid the foundation for what we understand now, the modern understanding of gender dysphoria and its treatment. And today we do recognize that transition, whether social, medical, or both, is the standard of care for individuals with gender dysphoria. And at the core of this approach is the principle of self determination. The right, to define who you are and how you want to live your life. So gender dysphoria is the mental health concern and transitioning is the currently accepted treatment. It was also during this time that, in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, that the word gender moved from being mostly a grammatical reference to being used to differentiate between biological sex and the social roles and identities that we typically associate with sex, those that are socially constructed. So now let's bring back the military, bring, put this all in the military context. So we have transgender service members and they've definitely faced a difficult history of inclusion and exclusion. For decades, they were banned outright. Their very existence in the military was seen as incompatible. in 2016, a RAND study found that transgender service members posed minimal impact on resources and readiness. we also had analysis of foreign militaries where transgender members, successfully serve openly. So we saw a shift, and transgender individuals were now allowed to serve openly. They were allowed to access gender affirming medical care, and be recognized in their true gender. It was a step toward aligning military policy with modern understanding of gender identity. But that didn't last very long. In 2017, the administration at the time sought to reinstate the ban. They discounted available evidence and claimed that transgender service members were a burden on readiness and resources. That ban took effect in 2019 and created an environment of fear and uncertainty for thousands of troops. In 2021, after a new administration came to power, another reversal. Transgender individuals could now serve openly once again. So here we are in 2024. On the brink of another potential policy change. A move to discharge transgender troops and bar their enlistment or re enlistment. I think it's 15, 000 or so that might end up getting medically discharged. These constant shifts aren't just bureaucratic, they're very personal. For transgender service members and veterans, these policies challenge their identity. Livelihood, and dignity. Imagine being told that you can't serve and not because of your performance. You might've gotten a lot of military related awards You might've been deployed and had successful deployment, served honorably, and not because of any misconduct, not because you did something wrong, but because of who you are. For transgender service members and veterans in general, a discharge isn't just about losing a job. You also lose a sense of purpose, a sense of community, and a way of life. The psychological impact of such a discharge cannot be ignored. It's a stressor that combines the trauma of job loss with the added weight of societal stigma and transphobia. For veterans, this can lead to feelings of rejection, isolation, and anxiety. It can exacerbate mental health issues like depression and PTSD, which are already prevalent among veterans. And then there's the practical side, financial instability, loss of benefits, and uncertainty about the future. There might be transgender service members out there getting ready to retire, maybe in a year, maybe in six months. For transgender veterans, now they won't be able to get those benefits anymore. For transgender veterans, these challenges are compounded by the systemic barriers when they get back into civilian life. From discrimination in housing and employment, to gaps in healthcare access. So What is our role as therapists? Whether you're a social worker, a psychologist, marriage and family therapist, or counselor, the ethical guidelines for our professions are clear. We must respect self determination and provide care free from discrimination. But it's more than just following the rules, it's about actively working to improve the fit between the individual and the family. The concept of goodness and fit is central here. For transgender veterans, that means helping them navigate environments that may not affirm their identity, whether it's at the workplace, a family setting, or society at large. It also means advocating for systemic changes that create safer, more inclusive environments. Our responsibility isn't just to help individuals cope. to empower them to thrive. That might mean providing therapy that validates their experiences or connecting them with supportive resources. Or on a macro level, advocating for policy changes within institutions like the DOD or the Veterans Affairs Administration. So where do we go from here? As therapists, we have the tools and the platforms to make a difference both in and out of the therapy room. First, we need to create safe spaces, both literally and figuratively. That means using affirming language respecting pronouns, and ensuring that every transgender client feels seen and valued. We need to educate ourselves and others. Transgender care is still evolving, and we need to stay informed, but it's not just about us learning, it's about what we know, and it's about what we share. Because we also need to educate our colleagues and our communities. Finally, we need to advocate. Whether it's pushing for inclusive policies within the DOD or the VA, or supporting other organizations that fight for transgender rights, advocacy is an essential part of our work. And remember, advocacy doesn't have to be big to be impactful. Sometimes it's as simple as standing up for a client in a meeting or writing a letter to our representatives in government. I know the current climate, seems to want us to take a step backward, to make us be less open and accepting to transgender clients and their needs and their wants. That stops with us, though. As therapists, we are the anchor for our clients. We are the resource. Our transgender clients should feel confident we'll be there. with them as they fight, or in front of them, helping them lead that fight. today, we covered a lot. We touched on the history of transgender care the military's policies, the psychological impact of exclusion, and our role as therapists. But here's the takeaway. This isn't just a military issue, it's a human issue. Transgender service members and veterans have given a lot to this country, and it's our turn to give back, to stand with them, and to ensure that they receive the care and respect they deserve. Thank you for joining me on Call Sign Wizard. Until next time, keep serving those who served, and remember, today, together, we can make a difference. Happy Thanksgiving. This has been Doc V, signing off.