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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    The Armed Forces and Gender Identity

    "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed four years ago.  This Tuesday, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter extended the full range of discrimination protections to gays and lesbians . It's been a long time coming. But some 15,000 transgender troops are not included, often despite years of distinguished service — including combat.

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    By Warren Olney • Jun 12, 2015 • 33m Listen

    "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed four years ago. This Tuesday, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter extended the full range of discrimination protections to gays and lesbians. It's been a long time coming. But some 15,000 transgender troops are not included, often despite years of distinguished service — including combat. Many are recognized for who they are by their comrades and their commanders, but officially they are not "fit to serve." We hear about a historic moment—and who's being left behind.

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Will the US Military Lift Its Transgender Ban?
    1. 1:17House Rejects Trade Bill in Huge Defeat for Obama
    2. 8:19The Armed Forces and Gender IdentityYou’re reading this
    3. 41:44The Death of the Iowa Straw Poll
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Jenny Hamel

      KCRW

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Andrea Brody

      Senior Producer, KCRW's Life Examined and To the Point podcast

    • KCRW placeholder

      Ernesto Londoño

      New York Times

    • KCRW placeholder

      Sue Felton

      SPARTA

    • KCRW placeholder

      Robert Scales

      US Army (retired)

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Will the US Military Lift Its Transgender Ban?
    1. 1:17House Rejects Trade Bill in Huge Defeat for Obama
    2. 8:19The Armed Forces and Gender IdentityYou’re reading this
    3. 41:44The Death of the Iowa Straw Poll
    Back to To the Point