Transgender Pittsburghers speak out against Trump military ban
Sabrina Schnur said she had to hide her “true self” when she joined the Army in the mid-1980s.
At that time, physically he was a man, but he knew in his own mind that he was a woman. He didn’t transition until later, knowing that he would be ostracized in the military. But that didn’t stop him from handling all the duties he was assigned in the Army, including carrying an M60 machine gun.
“While we were going on 10-mile marches, I basically had the heaviest weapon for light infantry,” Ms. Schnur said. “I did my job. I came out with several medals, I was an honorable discharge. I never could not perform any of the jobs that they assigned to me.”
Ms. Schnur was one of several people who spoke out Friday at a forum in Oakland against President Donald Trump’s decision this week to ban transgender individuals from the military. The Pentagon has said it will not enforce the ban until it gets a directive from the White House. Mr. Trump announced his decision on Twitter.
About two dozen people attended the gathering near Schenley Plaza to show support for transgender people serving in the armed forces. The forum was organized by the groups Veterans for Peace and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or P-FLAG.
Ms. Schnur, who is affiliated with P-FLAG in Butler, said being transgender doesn’t affect the ability of people to do their jobs. If transgender people are qualified, she said, they should be allowed to join the military just like they are able to in a numberof other countries.
One of the arguments Mr. Trump made in favor of banning transgender people from the military was that their medical costs were too expensive.
Ms. Schnur said the procedure that trans-individuals undergo is a one-time cost, while the military pays for ongoing care for people in the service who have longterm health issues.
Some have said the military should not be used as a social experiment. Ms. Schnur and others at the forum said there is nothing novel about transgender people in the armed forces — they have always served in the military.
It began raining as she was talking, and she ended her speech quickly, telling those in the crowd that she wouldn’t make them stand in the rain.
“We will stand in the rain for you. We love you,” said Jessie Medvan of Veterans for Peace.
Ciora Thomas, founder of SisTers PGH, a transgender homeless shelter, said her organization was planning a get-together for transgender military members at which they can discuss their experiences.
“A lot of them come back from the war and they need spaces where they can talk,” Ms. Thomas said. “And with the trans-population, they need a trans-safe space where they can talk.”
Ms.Thomas said transgender members of the military she has talked to have taught her lessons of resilience.
“Keep going, don’t give up,” Ms. Thomas said. “Those are the key things that I’ve learned.”