Everyone reading this reflection was alive for some type of conflict where our United States military had to be involved. Our military is made up of soldiers that consist of our mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, and everyone in-between. These brave individuals sacrifice their lives, their time, and their futures not just for themselves, but also for their families. Military families are often moved around from base to base. Children change schools and are forced to leave old friends behind and make new ones, while never knowing how long they’ll be around. Overseas tours are assigned for months or years and these soldiers might miss the birth of a child or the funeral of a parent. And these are just the small sacrifices.

If a person is willing to make such personal sacrifices and contribute in a positive way, what would make us want to deny them the opportunity to serve their country?

We adorn our windows and our cars with ribbons and stickers to show our support. We praise their efforts and their successes, and their failures are our failures. We feel their losses and we all mourn and grieve collectively. But for some reason, there are certain situations where we draw the line.

Historically for the LGBTQ community, military service has been challenging and far too personal. There have been many political and public debates regarding the acceptance of gays and lesbians and the community has had  to sit back and wait for the judgment of people that don’t even know them. The general public, politicians, and even high-ranking servicemembers often base their opinions on their own biases and they do not take into consideration the abilities and sacrifices of those otherwise eligible to serve. Does sexual orientation or gender-identity make someone more or less capable? No. Does sexual orientation or gender-identity make someone more or less likely to be successful? No. Success and capability are based on an individual and not such a singular, individual aspect of that person.

While gays and lesbians are far more accepted now than ever before, transgender individuals are now the focus of negativity and judgment. The documentary TransMilitary, really spotlights what it is like for so many capable, successful, and decorated trans service members that struggle with acceptance and tolerance. All these soldiers want to do is their job. They want to follow orders, complete missions, and be successful at every task assigned to them. They want to be the soldier they were born to be regardless of whether they were born in the body they were meant to have.

I’ve read so many opinions on trans service members and some of the arguments against them are laughable. Which uniform should they wear? Which bathroom should they use? Fifty years ago we landed on the moon. Trained astronauts flew 238,900 miles above earth, landed, and walked on the moon, and we can’t figure out which bathroom people should use?! We, as a people, are better than this.

The LGBTQ community has suffered far too many judgments, biases, acts of violence, intolerances, and prejudices for a lifetime. There are far more positive benefits to allowing LGBTQ individuals to serve in our great military than there are negative. There is nothing that we can’t figure out if we work together instead of working against each other. And just like retired Major General Barry Goldwater said, "You don't need to be 'straight' to fight...for your country. You just need to shoot straight."