https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:06:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military/page/2#post-2763265 Sun, 30 Jul 2017 19:50:38 +0000 Astro Bee 2763265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If anyone wants to read the Rand Corporation's 2016 report on the implications of allowing transgender personnel to serve openly, I've included the link below. It's an interesting read, and I won't spoil it, but it calls BS to any budget related concern:</p> <p>"We estimate that AC MHS health care costs will increase by between $2.4 million and $8.4 million annually—an amount that will have little impact on and represents an exceedingly small proportion of Actice Component health care expenditures (approximately $6 billion in FY 2014) and overall DoD health care expenditures ($49.3 billion actual expenditures for the FY 2014)." Overwhelming costs, indeed!</p> <p><a href="http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1530.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1530.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military/page/2#post-2763260 Sun, 30 Jul 2017 19:41:23 +0000 Synchronicity 2763260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Astro Bee: great perspective and thank you for serving our country! 🇨🇦 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military/page/2#post-2763259 Sun, 30 Jul 2017 19:38:15 +0000 Astro Bee 2763259@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am an active serving member of the Canadian military (18 years now) and I'd like to point out that up here, no one gives a damn if you're gay, straight, trans, male or female, or a freaking unicorn. If you want to serve your country and you have the physical and mental capacity to, then have at 'er! And yes, as was posted above, in Canada the military will pay for your sex-reassignment surgery and all that it entails (if that's what you choose). It's way less money than we or any other military, US included, spends on necessary or optional medication, equipment, or paper for that matter. I get birth control and access to mental health services free of cost, too, and no one blinks an eye about either. </p> <p>The US Defense Industrial Complex is ridiculous. Maybe if POTUS is concerned with his military budget that might be something to start with. We constantly hear about our southern brethren getting equipment that they don't want or need, but because some politician owes a favour to a lobbyist or a congressman wants another tank manufacturing plant built in his district, y'all get more Abrams tanks you don't need. And that's just one example. </p> <p>I agree with PP that hormone therapy, mental health counselling and surgeries are potentially life saving. Forcing trans servicemembers to serve secretly is a step backward for no good reason other than a "policy" (cause tweeting doesn't equal drafting policy) rooted in transphobia, fear-mongering, misdirection, lies, and whatever hatred Cheetos is spewing about an any given day. The repealing of "don't ask, don't tell" took too long as it was. I expect better of a modern western nation. </p> <p>For your reading pleasure: <a href="https://www.google.ca/amp/www.military.com/daily-news/2015/01/28/pentagon-tells-congress-to-stop-buying-equipment-it-doesnt-need.html%3fvariant=mobile.amp" rel="nofollow">https://www.google.ca/amp/www.military.com/daily-news/2015/01/28/pentagon-tells-congress-to-stop-buying-equipment-it-doesnt-need.html%3fvariant=mobile.amp</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military/page/2#post-2763221 Sun, 30 Jul 2017 17:26:14 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2763221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to contribute to this massively old thread and say that before Obamacare standardized insurance I had to buy a maternity rider to cover me and the stipulations were very specific. So yeah, before ACA the insurance market did consider pregnancy to be a choice. So it is a good analogy and I'm surprised at how no one who initially supported the ban on this thread has come back to grapple with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military/page/2#post-2762721 Fri, 28 Jul 2017 12:24:05 +0000 erinbaderin 2762721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is an interesting article that talks a bit about the financial effects of transgender people in the Canadian military (it's been allowed since 1992):</p> <p><a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadian-forces-aim-to-improve-transgender-policy-as-trump-reinstates-ban/article35812695/" rel="nofollow">https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadian-forces-aim-to-improve-transgender-policy-as-trump-reinstates-ban/article35812695/</a></p> <p>The relevant section:</p> <p>...The military has paid for 19 sex-reassignment operations between 2008 and October 2015, at a total cost of around $309,000. That works out to about $16,200 per operation.</p> <p>While the costs do not include any hormone therapy, Alan Okros, an expert on diversity in the military at the Canadian Forces College, said many service members receive such treatment for various conditions – not just sex reassignment.</p> <p>By comparison, Veterans Affairs Canada spent nearly $20-million on medical marijuana last year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military/page/2#post-2762468 Thu, 27 Jul 2017 15:06:15 +0000 Thompson.J 2762468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am so pissed that trump did this. I never like to talk about politics because it is a touchy subject for people. I just hate that some has to go and discriminate against people just because of their gender. This is 2017 there should be people who are transgender fighting for our country. No questions being asked. I really was hurt by this. I have a few friends that are transgender. It take a lot of courage and struggle to go through a transformation. The government does not have to limit them or make it hard for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military/page/2#post-2762452 Thu, 27 Jul 2017 14:21:16 +0000 MrsJBeeG 2762452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What is sad is that he announced this on the same day (July 26) as when racial integration occurred in the military. It feels like a step backwards, setting aside politics, my personal feelings and the oddity of policy via tweets. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military/page/2#post-2762291 Thu, 27 Jul 2017 09:07:42 +0000 yoursilverlining 2762291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: This is my husband's theory as well. The House is insane so it still may not pass, but it's much more likely to now that this particular roadblock is out of the way. Lovely people, all around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military/page/2#post-2762270 Thu, 27 Jul 2017 08:42:07 +0000 Adira 2762270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I don't know how accurate this story is, but Politico is reporting that Trump made this decision in order to get a spending bill passed!</p> <p><a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/26/trump-transgender-military-ban-behind-the-scenes-240990" rel="nofollow">http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/26/trump-transgender-military-ban-behind-the-scenes-240990</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military/page/2#post-2762267 Thu, 27 Jul 2017 08:37:02 +0000 emilye519 2762267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Garbage statements from a garbage human being. I'm a health economist that primarily works with VA healthcare data, I know for a fact that the VA spends far more on ED pills and methadone than they ever would on gender reassignment surgery. Won't even touch on the over-prescribing of pain meds. Wake me up when this nightmare of a presidency is over, I can't deal with this crap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military/page/2#post-2762231 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 23:52:30 +0000 DesertDreams88 2762231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Some people have suggested it's to distract the news cycle from healthcare. It's a pretty "big" / important distraction if so, but it's an possible angle. He often tweets ridiculous things when the news isn't in his favor.... which is often. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military/page/2#post-2762209 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 20:46:09 +0000 StrawberryShortie 2762209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For him to cite "medical costs" and I'm assuming the concern is gender reassignment....<br /> News flash; not every trans person has gender reassignment surgery. Everyone's journey and decision of how much they are changing is so personalized. </p> <p>It just shows how he and his team are making decisions across the board with little to no research. Just crossing things off their own agenda. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military/page/2#post-2762098 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 15:16:42 +0000 Dahlia 2762098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlebug: That's what I don't understand! I get that people have different values, morals, beliefs, experiences than me and thus have different priorities and positions in politics. But can't we all agree that it's best to have facts and follow the rules in order to bring those things about?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military/page/2#post-2762093 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 15:11:40 +0000 littlebug 2762093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dahlia: Facts. Due process. Reality. :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military/page/2#post-2762091 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 14:58:21 +0000 Dahlia 2762091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>And it sounds like the DoD was doing an in-depth study on the matter, due in December, and then Trump stepped in and tweeted a decision while Matthis was on vacation? The disregard for facts in this administration is staggering. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military/page/2#post-2762039 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 13:00:26 +0000 littlebug 2762039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: But it makes a good point. Being in the wrong body is no one's choice, just as being gay is not a choice. Having a baby is a choice, even if the pregnancy itself is an accident. </p> <p>And to compare gender reassignment surgery to plastic surgery completely minimizes and trivializes the psychological struggle that transgender people face. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military#post-2762038 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 12:59:33 +0000 Boogs 2762038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: Agreed. Having kids is optional, being trans is not. Of course some people like to argue that fact also. </p> <p>If people can drink or smoke in excess and create a ton of health issues for themselves that are converted under any type of insurance, and I'm not just talking about military. Why can't people be covered for things that are not under their control?</p> <p>All that aside, the pay our service members receive in exhange for what their do for our country is embarrassing. As far as their insurance, I don't know much about it; however, if you want to save money by cutting something that is such an insignificant part of the budget, then you Sir are an asshat. I think there are so many more areas we can focus on to 'save money' in government. And maybe someone smarter than me can enlighten me, but why is the pay and insurance so much better for congress members and such? Why are their salaries and insurance plans not ever under the gauntlet? </p> <p>Anyone who wants to risk their own life for the rest of ours should have more benefits than they currently have, and there is no reason they should be stripped of anything for the sake of a budget. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military#post-2762034 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 12:48:29 +0000 Adira 2762034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: I mean, I was definitely being facetious with that comment, but I think the point remains. If we believe insurance should cover prenatal care and child birth (which I believe it should), then I don't see why it wouldn't also cover gender reassignment surgery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military#post-2762030 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 12:40:23 +0000 agold 2762030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I almost agree with you that having a baby is optional! At what point did people start turning to the government for help with their own personal family planning? ETA - but I think most things like this and anything life saving should especially be covered by the military insurance for people serving our country. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military#post-2762022 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 12:02:27 +0000 MrsSCB 2762022@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>"The military spends five times as much on Viagra as it would on transgender troops’ medical care" -- <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/wonk/wp/2017/07/26/the-military-spends-five-times-as-much-on-viagra-as-it-would-on-transgender-troops-medical-care/" rel="nofollow">https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/wonk/wp/2017/07/26/the-military-spends-five-times-as-much-on-viagra-as-it-would-on-transgender-troops-medical-care/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military#post-2762020 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 11:55:10 +0000 Finfan 2762020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The idea that Donald Trump cares about saving the military's budget is hilarious. The man wastes so much taxpayer money vacationing every weekend! Such corruption is absurd. </p> <p>Trans people are people and it is wrong to discriminate against them. The military health plans should cover all related medical expenses, including surgery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military#post-2762017 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 11:34:37 +0000 helloperidot 2762017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Waking up to this news this morning makes me ragey. I agree with what pp have said...Trump is a vile, despicable excuse for a human being and I can't believe he still has people who staunchly support him. Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military#post-2762016 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 11:33:47 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2762016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hvae gotten to the point that the only way I can exist in a world with Donald Trump as president is to view him as a giant internet troll and try to think about him as little as possible. </p> <p>That's essentially what this is. He knows the only way he keeps power is by firing up his base. Congress is afraid of losing seats, so as long as his base supports him they will let him do whatever he wants. So every single thing he says is for their ears alone. He doesn't care about these policies. He knows his base does. So he speaks to them. Hes a master manipulator and every word out of his mouth serves that purpose. I don't really know what his end game is, but I suspect either narscisism and power for its own sake, or he really does have some financial things cooking somewhere. </p> <p>But mentally I cant beat my head against a wall anymore. You cant argue with an internet troll. What we need to be doing is putting pressure on our reps (especially more conservative folks who have a little more credibility with republican reps) to wake the eff up and do something about this because I am actually truly terrified of the long term global consequences of having this clown as our "leader". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military#post-2762013 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 11:25:44 +0000 pinkcupcake 2762013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: exactly. You want to potentially give up your life for our country? Then I think you're entitled to some benefits, healthcare included. I mean, it's not like the military is making millionaires of our service(wo)men. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military#post-2762008 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 11:11:13 +0000 LulaBee 2762008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I 100% believe that surgery can be life or death for trans people. However, not all transgender people desire surgery, that's a dangerous statement to make. </p> <p>Trump is totally wrong about this, and is fueling the transphobia that already exists in this country. I agree with @littlebug: it's about making trans people feel less than, and promoting hate. He's a poor excuse for a human, let alone president. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military#post-2762005 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 11:05:03 +0000 littlebug 2762005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: Oh my gosh, YES. This is what our country has been reduced to. Tweets. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military#post-2762004 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 11:04:38 +0000 MrsTal 2762004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskansas: @T.H.O.U.: @Truth Bombs: do you know anyone who is trans? One of my best friends is and he struggles constantly with suicidal thoughts because his body doesn't match what he sees himself as. Suicide is very high among the trans community so surgery can be life saving. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military#post-2762002 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 11:03:30 +0000 littlebug 2762002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The man knows nothing about commitment to the military and service to the country. He dodged the draft on 4 separate occasions. And yet here he is, blocking a group of people who voluntarily sign up to serve the country that he "claims" to love. If someone has the guts to sign up to serve in the military, then they are a braver person than he is, and he should be thanking them for their service. End of story. </p> <p>We all know this "cost of medical treatment" thing is a bullshit excuse for this ban. This is pandering to his base, pure and simple. This is about nothing more than making transgender people feel less than. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military#post-2762001 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 11:01:48 +0000 yoursilverlining 2762001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: yes, this too. US military policy is now being announced via Twitter?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/trump-just-announced-a-ban-on-transgender-in-the-military#post-2762000 Wed, 26 Jul 2017 10:58:49 +0000 kiddosc 2762000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can we take a second to note that he announced this in a freaking tweet also!!! This is how the American government works now? </p>