Alivia Stehlik, an Army major, came out as a transgender woman in 2017 and was pleasantly surprised by the support she received from her colleagues and patients. However, President Trump recently signed an executive order barring transgender individuals from openly serving and enlisting in the military, citing concerns about troop readiness and integrity. This decision has left trans service members like Stehlik uncertain about their future in the military. Despite this, many trans service members, including Nicolas Talbott and Emily Shilling, have vowed to continue doing their jobs and fighting against the ban. Talbott and other trans service members have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that their service should not be contingent on political power. Shilling, the highest-ranking out trans person in the Navy, has faced challenges due to the ban but has also seen progress, including her promotion to commander. She is now advocating for conversations with Pentagon and White House officials to demonstrate the positive impact of transgender service members on unit cohesion and morale. Trump’s recent executive orders targeting trans rights have caused additional concerns for the transgender community, including freezing passport applications requesting sex-marker changes. Overall, trans service members are determined to continue serving and fighting for their right to openly serve in the military.
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