TransMilitary (2018)
Running Time: 1hr 33mins
The lives of four transgender American soldiers and the difficulties navigating the political and social ramifications of just being who they are, is chronicled in the timely and relevant documentary, TransMilitary. Senior Airman Logan Ireland, Corporal Laila Villanueva, Captain Jennifer Peace, and First Lieutenant El Cook are hardworking, decorated, and respected service members all vying for the same future for not just themselves, but for their families and communities. The documentary follows these brave individuals as they fight one of their toughest battles. They risk their own careers, military benefits, safety, and security to try to change the policies and viewpoints of the US Military to be inclusive and supportive of its transgender service members both past, present, and future.
The documentary includes some very interesting statistics regarding transgender military members and the acceptance of transgender soldiers in other countries. According to the film, although there are approximately 15,500 transgender service members currently serving throughout all branches of the United States military, there is no policy granting them protections while they continue to serve or protections for their family members. However, troughout the world, eighteen countries have policies that grant transgender individuals the right and ability to serve unlike the policies we currently have here in the US.
I would Absolutely recommend this documentary. When it comes to policy-making and debates on any issue, it is always important to learn about the people that will most likely be affected. How can you reasonably form an opinion without knowing both sides of the story? These brave, talented, intelligent, and dedicated American heroes deserve respect not ridicule. Their gender-identity has nothing to do with their ability to serve or their ability to complete their assigned tasks as soldiers. TransMilitary is a refreshing reminder that while our gender-identity and sexual orientation are certainly a part of us, it doesn’t define everything about us.
