30 June 30
1890 George Wehner was a Gay man born in Detroit Michigan. Much of his early childhood, however, was spent in
Newburgh, New York, in an atmosphere he later recalled as being dominated by
his mother’s “lively Bohemian parties,” in which young George encountered many
prominent artists and writers, including naturalist John Burroughs, writer
Harrier Beecher Stowe, and actress Sarah Bernhardt, as well as numerous notable
opera singers. Wehner’s own musical abilities emerged early on, and,
by the age of five, he had begun composing and had devised his own notational
system. It was during the First World War, that he began to accept payment for
conducting séances. By the early 1920s, Wehner had starting writing popular
songs and he left Detroit with a friend for New York City. He soon encountered
songwriter Louis Breau, with whom he managed to collaborate on a hit, I Want
My Mammy (1921), which was introduced by Eddie Cantor in the revue, The
Midnight Rounders. Wehner quickly infiltrated show business circles in New
York, struggling as a songwriter and sometime performer, but finding greater
success in building up a portfolio of clients for his services as a
professional medium. After the death of
his father in October 1921 and a stint in vaudeville that occupied most of
1922, Wehner spent much of the rest of the decade focused on promoting his
reputation as a medium; those efforts culminating in the publication of his
autobiography in 1929. Perhaps Wehner’s most advantageous connection became the
Richard Hudnut family. Wehner had been introduced to the designer, Natacha
Rambova, in 1925 by her mother (Hudnut’s third wife) and he had begun leading
regular weekly séances for them and their friends. He was invited to travel
with Rambova and her entourage to Europe in 1926. This trip provided Wehner
with numerous opportunities to further his psychic career, but he reached the
apex of his fame when he foretold the death of Rambova’s estranged husband,
Rudolph Valentino, after the film star was hospitalized. He went on to console
the grieving Rambova in a series of séances following Valentino’s death, in
which he enabled Rambova to communicate with the spirit of the late actor.
These incidents were widely publicized by Rambova in serial installments in the
New York Graphic, which also were published in book form. It
was Rambova who introduced Wehner to noted occult writer, Talbot Mundy, and his
wife, Dawn Allen, in 1927. Mundy took an extreme interest in Wehner’s work,
encouraging the publication of, and providing the introduction to, Wehner’s
volume of memoirs in 1929. Wehner’s increasingly erratic behavior, however,
soon would alienate Mundy, who later repudiated his belief in Wehner’s
authenticity as a medium. By the early 1930s, Wehner appears to have abandoned
“spiritual mediumship” as a profession and turned to writing fiction, as well
as painting, as a career alternative. Wehner passed away at Long Island College
Hospital in Brooklyn on January 12, 1970.
1900 HELD IN $1000 BAIL Vicious Tramps Bound Over to the District Court-Yesterday
afternoon the hearing of Fred Wilson, Mike McConnach, and George Powers charged
with sodomy committed with Robert Danley, Frank WIson, and Carence Turner came
up before Justice Breden who bound them over to answer to the district court
under $1000 bail each. The boys told a most revolting tale of their treatment but their story was straight forward
and uncontradicted. The boys will be held by the police to testify on on the final
hearing.
1966 National Organization for Women was founded on June 30, 1966
in Washington, D.C.,
by 28 women and men attending the Third National
Conference of the Commission on the Status of Women, the successor to the
Presidential Commission on the Status of Women. It had been three years since
the Commission reported findings of women being discriminated against. However,
the 1966 Conference delegates were prohibited by the administration's rules for
the conference from even passing resolutions recommending that the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforce its legal mandate to end sex
discrimination. The founders included Betty Friedan, the author of The Feminine
Mystique (1963), Rev. Pauli Murray, the first African-American woman Episcopal
priest, and Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for president of the
United States of America .
Acting from the tenet that women and men are alike in important respects and,
therefore, entitled to equal rights and opportunities, the movement spawned by
Friedan's book is embodied in NOW, the National Organization for Women, which
works to secure political, professional, and educational equality for women.
Founded in 1966 with Betty Friedan acting as an organizer, NOW is a public
voice for equal rights for women. It has been extremely effective in enacting
rhetorical strategies that have brought about concrete changes in laws and
policies that enlarge women's opportunities and protect their rights.
1974- 43,000
attended the 5th Annual Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade, more than
double the number from the previous year.
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| N Eldon Tanner |
1979 The Salt Lake Coalition of Human Rights was faltering
but managed to join with the Gay Student Union of the University of Utah and
Salt Lake Affirmation to sponsor another Gay Pride Week in June. No specific
location was held but rather a variety of events was held over several days.
The community was still in a somer mood after the death of a prominent Gay
Activist and several other Gay men last year. Salt Lake Affirmation was able to
get discount tickets from the Lagoon Amusement Park and held the “1st Lagoon
Outing.” The GSU and the Coalition also held a scaled back symposium at the
Metropolitan Church facilitated Rev Bob Waldrop. A Civil Rights protest and all night candle
light vigil for victims of Gay bashing, was held on the steps of the City and
County building, which drew national attention to Gay and Lesbian struggles in
Utah. Denver’s Mile High Freedom Marching Band was brought to Utah by Joe
Redburn and appeared on The Sun Tavern’s patio in the evening.
1979-A group of 40 people in Cincinnati Ohio who had reserved a
city park pool for a gay pride party were outnumbered and attacked by local
residents who threw rocks and bottles at them. Police arrived, watched for a
while, then drove away. One man had to be rescued by a television news crew.
Police refused to return, even after several calls reporting a riot.
1981 Holding lighted candles and listening to
speeches about 50 people, mostly women, gathered at the Unitarian Church 569
South 13th East SLC to mark the last year
states have to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Rally held by National
Organization for Women. Karen Reimherr spokesperson for the Salt Lake Chapter
of NOW. Ms. Reimherr said the ERA has been erroneously linked abortion and
homosexuality. Congress passed the ERA in 1972. To date 35 states have ratified
the ERA and needs three more to pass or the amendment will die. (07/01/1981
SLTribune)
1983 Three cases of AIDS have been reported in Utah in the
last year according to Byron Haslam of the Bureau of Communicable Disease Utah
Department of Health. But only 1 of the 3 is a Utah resident. There has been a
total of 1,800 AIDS cases reported world wide since the disorder was identified
. The Center for Disease Control compiled statistics showing as of June 30,
1983, there was a 38 per cent death rate among those who contract the AIDS. “If
you’re talking about homosexuals or intravenous drug users, the risks are
relatively high. But for the general public, there is little if any risk. The
Health Department has been accused of looking down at these kinds of groups
(homosexual and drug users) but there’s nothing we can do but identify the
likely groups and alert physicians,” he said. ”Its sad”.(07/21/83
SLTribune B1-1)
1984-The Unitarian Universalist Church voted to approve ceremonies
uniting same sex couples.
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| Nikki Boyer |
1986-The US
Supreme Court announced its decision in the case of
Bowers v. Hardwick, a case
challenging the constitutionality of the Georgia sodomy law. The court voted
5-4 to uphold the Georgia Sodomy law.
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| Michael Hardwick |
1986- The
Golden Spike Gay Rodeo Association went to the Rocky Mountain Gay Rodeo
Association’s Regional Rodeo in Denver. For the first time Utah was recognized in a regional rodeo..
1987- At
Salt Lake Affirmation topic was led by John Reeves on When was our earliest Recollection of our Feeling Gay?
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| Becky Moss |
2003 Chad Keller To Ben Williams [Subject Rally Recording] I have
people interested in a copy of the recording of the Rally. I personally see
great value in it, and see that it could be a nice revenue generator to cover
some of the last of the debt. A suggested donation of at least $10.00 seems in
keeping with the Utah Historical Society, and photos. It should come with some
sort of disclaimer in keeping with national copyright. Credit where credit is due....Ben Williams
Recording...ect ect...... Thoughts. CK
- Ben Williams- No let’s just make it available to anyone who wants it. We only are the caretakers of our history not the owners.
- Ben Williams to Joe Redburn- I left a CD of the State Capitol Sodomy rally I recorded for the historical society for you at the front bar of the Trapp with your Sunday afternoon bartender. Best Regards Ben Williams PS Chad said Ted was not doing well. I hope he gets to feeling better soon.
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| Aaron Cloward |
Sunstone Symposium Sheraton City
Center Conference Center 150 W 500 S, Salt Lake City, Utah Smokehouse Room
Sunstone Symposium Fee $6 for this single session For entire conference
registration, and many more gay/mormon
themed workshops at this symposium, please visit www.sunstoneonline.com
SYNOPSIS/SUMMARY Aaron Cloward's
7500-word guide, "For The Strength Of Gay Youth", includes frank
discussions on some of the most serious issues facing young gay Mormons, from
how to deal with family and depression to what to do about the Internet, dance
clubs and dating. The guide also includes a lengthy section on sexuality. Panelists will critique Cloward's guide and
try to answer the question: How useful is this document in helping young gay
Mormons who feel attracted to their own sex?
Please read the guide, posted at and bring your questions and comments
to this session. Moderator/Panelist: HUGO OLIAZ, M.A. linguistics; webmaster;
news editor Suntone Panelists: DANIEL HOLSINGER, founder of FHE Family and the
Seagull Foundation JED BRUBAKER, Youth Services coordinator for Affirmation:
Gay & Lesbian Mormons LEE BECKSTEAD, psychotherapist in private practice,
Salt Lake City, Utah LAVINA FIELDING ANDERSON, president, Editing Inc.; editor,
Journal of Mormon History; judge,
Affirmation writing awards AARON CLOWARD, author, "For The Strength Of Gay
Youth"
2006 Dear Community Members: I was excited to come across this
article on Victory Fund's website and I wanted to share it with you. It's the
lead article on their website today. Utah 's
Roadmap to Equality is Working! Utah
isn't just a red state; these days it's also a red HOT state in terms of the
success of openly LGBT candidates. Yesterday two more LGBT candidates came out
of their primaries well-positioned to win as they advance to the Nov. 7 general
election. Christine Johnson won an extremely competitive primary for State
House by 14 percent in the Salt Lake
City area. This is the second most Democratic district
in the state, so Christine is strongly favored to win in November. She will
join State Rep. Jackie Biskupski- who in 1998 became the first openly LGBT
candidate ever elected in the state - and State Sen. Scott McCoy- who was
appointed in 2005 and is favored to win election to the seat this November. As
a result, Utah
will become the eleventh state legislature in the nation with more than two
openly LGBT members. In another stunning victory last night in Utah , Xander Gordon was
the highest vote-getter in the primary for the
Murray School Board. He now
proceeds to the November election where he will face incumbent Lloyd Naylor.
There could not be a stronger contrast between the two candidates. Xander works
for the Department of Child and Family Services where he focuses on preventing
child abuse. Incumbent Naylor has is running as a "traditional family
values" candidate, and we all know what that means. This race will have a
tremendous impact on the lives of children, particularly LGBT youth, who live
in Murray .
Neither of these victories are pure coincidence. They are the result of a
deliberate and organized effort by Equality Utah to elect more LGBT candidates
in their state. Leaders of Equality Utah asked the Gay & Lesbian Leadership
Institute to hold one of its candidate trainings in Salt Lake City in early 2005 and recruited
many potential candidates to attend. (Many of these participants and future
candidates also worked on the "Don't Amend" campaign in an attempt to
defeat the anti-gay marriage amendment on the ballot in 2004.) Meanwhile,
Equality Utah PAC was building it war chest and organizing the annual Allies
Dinner that successfully included non-LGBT progressive allies and has become
one of the most successful statewide events in the country. We continue to see
the results of this outstanding work. If
traditionally conservative Utah
can be among the top eleven states with the highest number of LGBT elected
officials in the state legislature, then surely we can elect at least one LGBT
representative in the 23 states whose legislatures have none. Leaders in Utah have certainly
provided a road map; with your help, we're ready to follow it. Working for a fair & just Utah , Mike Thompson
Executive Director Join Equality Utah today at www.equalityutah.org and
together we will achieve equality and justice for LGBT Utahns and their
families.
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| Xander Gordon |
2007 GAY FREEDOM DAY When: Saturday, June 30th, 2007 11am-4pm
Where: Harmony Park (one block west of Paper Moon) Why: To Celebrate the 38th
Anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion What: A carefree day in the park, with
BBQ, information booths, music, volleyball, friends. How: Free event sponsored
by QSaltLake's Pride 360, and Utah Stonewall Historical Society Be Here Be
Queer!!! For more details pick up June 15th Issue of QSalt Lake
2007, Rob wrote: hey ben
this is rob Chad's friend I have
been hearing some strange stuff about Chad's death I need too know if it is
true what was said for my self. Chad
will all ways be my friend and will all ways be on my mind when I last talked
too him it was Sunday and I asked him too be my best man at my wedding to David
. Was very happy about making a trip too Vegas and the wedding, so what I
really want too know how is it that Chad died ? I have received an
e-mail saying that he O.D. on pills is this true ?? thanks for the info on
services for chad I don't think I can make the one on the 2 of July but will
make it up for the one on the 8th thanks
rob
From: "Ben Williams" To: Rob Chad's obituary is in today's Salt Lake Tribune. You can go on line to obits and write comments or read them in his guest book. The obit doesn't saying anything but where the funeral would be and the funeral home if you care to send flowers. Kevin Hillman called me Tuesday night about 9 p.m. He said that Mark Thrash was worried aboutChad
because he hadn't answered his phone all day. Mark was at work and attended a
Royal Court Meeting right afterwards. Mark asked Kevin to go to the apartment
and check in on Chad . Kevin found him in his bedroom already dead.
Evidently he had died sometime Monday night. The coroner told Kevin that
because of the amount of pills Chad
had taken he didn't think it was accidental. But Kevin said Chad also had been out drinking
heavy Sunday night. I never inquired
anymore then that. In all my public postings I just stated that Chad
had passed away. I am only telling his friends more. Kevin also told me that
the family elected to have a close casket viewing due to the condition of his
body. A month ago Chad
started drinking again and I chided him about it and he said he was going to
stop because the effect made him take to bed for days afterwards. At Coronation
he was already blitzed when I arrived around 8.
He bummed some money off of me for a beer. I gave it to him reluctantly
but thought well the damage was already done. A while after that, he bought a
car and seemed rather positive about things. He was about ready to get back
into full swing again with school, he changed hours at work and didn't have to
walk now. He kept calling me about his pansies and when he should pull them and
he was planting flowers up to the time of his death. We were suppose to have
gone to the Farmer's Market last Saturday but he canceled at the last minute
saying a friend was coming over to help put a bureau together for him and when
he called to go for a late lunch I declined because I was tired from putting up
a fence. That was the last time I spoke
with Chad .
Earlier in the week he had come over and chatted with Mike and I and he
revealed in his conversation that when he had severe depression he had tried
cutting himself. That came completely
out of the blue and at the time I even thought it was out of place but I knew Chad
and drama were synonyms. He did tell us
that he was getting really tired of the shots and the pain, and fighting with
his insurance. He said that they were
fighting over his liver med's which were a $1000 a month. I don't know what
happened Sunday, I am not sure why he went back to drinking, May be he was
tired and giving up. I'd like to think that Chad was in so much pain Monday
from drinking that he did not realize what he was doing. May be he did. I will never judge him. I just miss him terribly... foibles and
all. Today is Gay Freedom Day in the
Park, an event that was the brain child of Chad 's. I am going only because he
would have wanted me to. I am going to his funeral in Idaho and may be at the Trapp we can have a
Chad Keller Cocktail. Sincerely Ben Williams
From: "Ben Williams" To: Rob Chad's obituary is in today's Salt Lake Tribune. You can go on line to obits and write comments or read them in his guest book. The obit doesn't saying anything but where the funeral would be and the funeral home if you care to send flowers. Kevin Hillman called me Tuesday night about 9 p.m. He said that Mark Thrash was worried about
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| David Standley |
- A Young Gay man who committed suicide
- 2010.07.16 00:40, Bariah said: While I didnt know him very well he was a great, sweet guy with a lot of heart. I hope he has found peace where he couldnt here. I feel horrible and my condolences go out to his friends and family.
- At 2010.07.16 01:47, ursginslc said: I wish I would have had an opportunity to know David closer. It’s a sad, and tragic event whenever we lose members of our community, and even more influencial when they choose to take their own life. I think there are few among us all that haven’t felt such things, and even fewer that don’t have a close friend who has felt that kind of internal conflict. There is a reason that suicide rates in the LGBT community are up to 4x higher than their straight peers, and it’s an issue that can pursue many well into adulthood. It is all too common for us to feel alone or unable to continue to cope with our problems because of the polarizing and often demonizing attitude that we all see on a day by day basis. Lets make sure that we can take this sadness to heart and use it as a motivation to ensure that we are all looking out for each other as well. I’m sure David is not alone, so if we suspect others are in need of a helping hand, lets extend it. We may all be bitches, but I’m sure we can put aside our attitudes if we see someone in need. I hope with all my heart those close to him can suffer through this together. You have my condolences.
- At 2010.07.16 19:33, Tyler Ballou said: I didn’t know David very well. However, this makes me so sad. To take your own life, I would think you would have to be in a lot of emotional pain.
- At 2010.07.17 00:43, bonquisha said: Suicide is selfish my friend Jason killed himself in february… its so unfortunate that people like this can’t get the help they need. RIP
- At 2010.07.17 00:45, saltygossip said: It seems selfish. However, that may not be true. Suicide happens when the pressures on someone outweigh their ability to cope.
- At 2010.07.17 01:07, Kevin said: I suppose in a sense it is selfish, but only because we feel hurt by the loss we experience. I think perhaps in a situation like this, we need to set our personal pain over the matter aside as perhaps it is us who becomes selfish, and think about what a bloody war must be going on inside to finally push you to such an extreme measure. It brings tears to my eyes to think how bad he was hurting in secret to take such a measure. It make me wonder who else we all know is fighting a bloody battle like this on the inside. Maybe it’s a reminder that we need to perhaps reach out a little further to those around us and try to put down our personal dislike and share some love. Maybe that will help prevent someone else we know taking such extreme measures. And to those of you out there who feel like you need to take these measure: please get help. We don’t want to loose anyone else like this.
- At 2010.07.17 11:25, FargoUT said: Suicide is selfish, but when you are in a state of mind that Jason was in, it’s really difficult to be anywhere else. I’ve been close to that edge myself a few times in the past, and was lucky enough to make it back to safety. Jason’s loss still hurts, but I feel a bit better knowing his pain is no longer. Kevin has already said most of what I think, but I wanted to add my two cents. Most people who end their life see no other recourse at that time. Sadly, it’s a temporary condition but it’s nearly impossible to see an end to the pain when you are in that dark place. I didn’t know this David Standley at all, but I knew Jason pretty well, and I knew where his mind was a lot of the time. I feel horrible to this day that I didn’t do more to help him. I hope I don’t make such a mistake again, because Jason was a great, caring soul trapped inside a damaged mind. RIP David, and Jason, and everyone who has taken their own life. May the peace you couldn’t find here find you wherever you may be.
- At 2010.07.17 18:23, Rob Brewer said: http://www.thetrevorproject.org LGBTQ Youth Suicide Crisis HotLine 1-866-4-U-Trevor (1-866-488-7386) The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. The Trevor Project operates the only accredited, nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth. If you or a friend are feeling lost or alone, call The Trevor Helpline. There is hope, there is help.
- At 2010.07.17 23:55, badgirlmeat said: RIP David, although I didn’t know you, you will be missed. Also, RIP Tim Tilley. He took his life this past Saturday. I’ve known him most of my life and my heart broke when I heard the news. Something needs to change. Too many young people are taking their lives. It shouldn’t be this way. All because of something they have absolutely no control of. Breaks my heart. Sexual orientation should not be a reason to hate someone. I can’t understand why people don’t see it this way.
- At 2010.07.20 23:15, Corbin Standley said: Hi. I’m Corbin, David’s brother. I just googled David’s name out of curiosity and came upon this post. Just out of curiosity, who are you and how did you know David?
- At 2010.07.20 23:31, saltygossip said: We are a news blog. I personally didn’t know him, but I had friends who did. I am sorry about your loss, if there is anything I can do let me know. I cried a lot when I hear about this. As far as the other comments, who knows. I am just a news and gossip blogger. If you want me to take the story down or if you have any questions email me at saltygossip@gmail.com
- Corbin Standley wrote : I would like to let these people know that David suffered from a mental illness through his entire life. My brother suffered from very deep and dark periods of depression that I cannot even fathom. He was a caring person who loved his family and friends above all. Anyone who knew David and want more information, feel free to e-mail me
- At 2010.07.20 23:57, saltygossip said: Hey thanks. That was nice. I can post it if you would like. If not I understand.
- At 2010.07.21 00:06, Corbin Standley said: The obit? Please do. I don’t want any mis-information anywhere about David.
- At 2010.07.21 00:09, saltygossip said: I’ll have it up shortly. Sorry about the comments, most people are just talking out of their ass and don’t know what is up. They don’t mean anything bad, but yeah i’ll put that up so there is no misinfo. Thanks for that. Sorry about any trouble.
- At 2010.07.21 00:11, Corbin Standley said: No trouble, really. I understand completely. And you’re welcome.
- DeAnn Gallegos-Standley said: Hello, I am David Standley’s mother. I just want everyone to know that David did not take his life due to any conflict with his sexuality. David was loved and accepted by everyone who knew him regardless of his sexuality. David had a very severe mental illness his entire life where he experienced depression that he was unable to overcome. His biological father also committed suicide which increased his chances to 90% that he would also do the same. David had the same mental illness as his biological father and his biological father’s father. We tried everything we could to help David including hospitals, medication, and therapy, but in the end it wasn’t enough to help him. I admire your site and the hand you are extending to those in pain and hope that someone’s life can be saved through reading David’s story. I have always supported David and all of his gay and lebian friends that I know. I know about the struggles you all face and I hope someday, everyone will be loving and accepting of everyone regardless of their sexuality. I would also be willing to talk to anyone who may be having problems or feel like they do not have anyone to turn to. You are loved, you just need to reach out.
2014 Utah
AG’s Office misses deadline in same-sex marriage case THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE The
Utah Attorney General’s Office failed to file preliminary documents in
connection with its appeal of a federal court judge’s order that the state must
honor and recognize all same-sex marriages performed in Utah after another
federal judge’s ruling toppled Utah’s voter-approved ban on such marriages. A
“deficiency notice” filed Monday by the clerk of the 10th Circuit Court in
Denver says that state attorneys failed to file a docketing statement,
transcript order and notice of appearance in the same-sex recognition case. “Please
correct the stated deficiencies within 10 days of the date of this notice,”
states a letter signed by Clerk of Court Elisabeth A. Shumaker. The paperwork
is due on July 10, according to the court docket. Missy Larsen, said Monday
there were merely some attachments missing from the attorney general’s filing. “It
won’t affect the case,” she said,
adding that the paperwork would be filed in
the next few days. In May, Judge Dale A. Kimball ordered Utah to honor and
recognize all same-sex marriages performed in the state after fellow federal
Judge Robert Shelby in December toppled Utah’s voter-approved ban on such
marriages. But less than a month after Kimball’s ruling, the state filed a
notice in federal court that it would appeal Kimball’s order. And on June 6,
the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily halted any movement toward
marriage recognition. At that time, the federal appeals court issued an stopgap
that would prevent any same-sex couples from applying for marriage benefits in
Utah until the court has had a chance to examine the merits of the state’s
request for a permanent stay. Kimball argued in his decision that denying
married gay and lesbian Utahns of legal spousal benefits was a violation of
their Fourteenth Amendment rights. More than 1,000 same-sex couples were
married in Utah during the 17 days that Shelby’s ruling was in effect before
the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay. In
connection with Shelby’s ruling, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals last
Wednesday in a 2-1 decision upheld Shelby’s finding that outlawing same-sex
marriage is a violation of the U.S. Constitution. But the court immediately
stayed the implementation of its decision, pending an anticipated appeal to the
U.S. Supreme Court. Utah attorney general’s office has said it will initiate
that appeal.
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| Dale Kimball |
2014 First of a 5 part presentation as part of a Sizzling Summer Series hosted by the Utah Stonewall Historical Society was held at the City Library. Ben Williams gave a talk on the Building of a GLBT Community in the 1970's
2016 (KUTV) Sue Robbins, an electrical engineer and retired member of the U.S. Army, felt emotional when she heard the U.S. Military will allow transgender people to serve openly.
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| Sue Robbins |
2016 (KUTV) Sue Robbins, an electrical engineer and retired member of the U.S. Army, felt emotional when she heard the U.S. Military will allow transgender people to serve openly.
"It's past time," she said, thrilled the new rules will benefit young enlistees - even though the change comes too late for her. "A lot of us were not able to experience being real while we were in the military," she said. When Robbins joined the Army in 1979, she lived as a young man and was too afraid to reveal her true self. It was a scary time for transgender people who felt harassment, discrimination and violence. Being transgender in the "macho" military environment was not only allowed but unthinkable. "It's very common to hear people say they went into the military to 'man up' so they could fight their feelings," she said. While her feelings for being a woman increased, she buried them until she retired from the Army, 20 years later. She began her transition into becoming the woman she knew she was inside. Today, she lives with her wife whom she married while she was in the military and supported and loved her through her transition. They have three children. She says the transition process has been years-long and she's pretty much fully there. Robbins feels comfortable and happy in her life, so she volunteers as a board member for the Pride center in Salt Lake which advocates for and supports people in the LGBTQ community. Robbins said by allowing transgender people to serve openly, the military lifts the burden of many service members who are living with immense stress of hiding their true selves. This creates incredible stress, depression and leads many to suicide. Robbins said the suicide rate among the transgender community is at about 40 percent. She said lifting those burdens from service members will allow them to serve better and will strengthen the military. "Especially in combat - do you want someone who is distracted by those things? Or entirely focused?" Defense Secretary Ash Carter said by October 1, military members who are transgender troops can begin receiving medical care to help them transition into their preferred gender and they can formally start changing their gender identity in the pentagon's personnel system. The new rules address the use of bathrooms and housing facilities but give some discretion to commanders. New enlistees will have to be stable in their gender identities for 18 months before joining. A study commissioned by Carter, said the number of transgender service members overall is small enough that the cost of providing services to them will not be high. The study said there are an estimated 1,320 - 6,630 transgender troops who are in the "Active Component" and about 830-4160 in the "Select Reserve." Among those individuals, only a small fraction is expected to use transition-related medical services. "It's going to create a period of social change in the military," said Robbins who said implementing the changes won't be as fast as flicking a light switch. She said the military will have to set clear rules and then train all members to make sure everyone understands what it means to be transgender and how the rules will protect people.
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