Commission's study finds no reason to ban transgender people from military service

A study on the feasibility of transgender troops in the military was released today by the Palm Center. The commission co-chaired by former US Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders and former Coast Guard Director of Health and Safety Alan Steinman found that the ban on transgender service was not only unreasonable but empirically unsound.

The Palm Center study which was funded by a billionaire transgender woman from Chicago, retired colonel Jennifer Natalya Pritzker, reported that the commission.....

"..[] finds no compelling medical rationale for banning transgender military service.."

The Military has changed many of it's regulations to reflect the updated DSM but hasn't done this regarding transgender service even though the DSM no longer classifies gender diversity as a mental illness.

Brynn Tannehill, Advocacy coordinator for Sparta an organization advocating for LGBT inclusion in the US military issued this statement:  

"The Elders Report validates some of the things we have seen from our transgender service members in SPARTA. Transgender people have served, currently serve, and will continue to serve - Marines, pilots, medics, foot soldiers, intelligence specialists, submariners, in every field - with honor and distinction. We are more than capable."

The United States Military ranks number 40 out of 103 countries studied by The Hague Commission  regarding LGBT inclusion. The survey found the United States low ranking was mainly due to the exclusion of transgender people.

Retired Brigadier General Thomas Kolditz, a former Army commander and West Point professor on the commission, said he thinks allowing transgender people to serve openly would reduce gender-based harassment, assaults and suicides while enhancing national security.
"When you closet someone, you create a security risk, and we don't need another Chelsea Manning," Kolditz said, referring to the soldier formerly known as Bradley Manning who came out as transgender after being sentenced for leaking classified documents to the website WikiLeaks.Source SF Gate

The findings by the Palm Center and the Hague studies will undoubtedly be challenged by the likes of the Center for Military Readiness. Although founded by a woman the center has opposed woman in combat roles and recently derided Chelsea Manning's transition.

Manoj Shahi Monika may become the first transgender person to successfully climb Mount Everest

Manoj Shahi Monika, a third gender from Kailali, Nepal could be the first documented transgender person to climb Mount Everest, but to do that the 35 year old must first make summit. The climb made famous by the book Into Thin Air is fraught with dangers that have maimed and killed many who have tempted fate.

There is a saying in mountaineering "Getting up is optional and getting down is mandatory."

“I cannot afford to miss the opportunity to make the record for climbing Everest as the member from the LGBT community,” said Monika, who wants to be listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

"Third Sex" photo Blue Diamond Society

Monika dreams to flutter the national flag together with a banner of Blue Diamond Society, an organisation working for LGBT community in Nepal, at the top of the peak.

However, Monika isn't the first transgender person to be on Mount Everest, not by a long shot. Nineteen years before Hillary and Norgay successful summit, British climber Maurice Wilson attempted and possibly reached the peak. Little is known or written about Wilson's 1933 climb because she was transgender, or mad, as gender diversity was deemed then.

A transgender woman, Jan Morris, known at the time as James, had the coveted role as the sole reporter on the mountain when Hillary and Norgay made the first known successful climb.

I haven't been able to locate any further information about Monika's expedition but being the Mount Everest aficionado that I am I will certainly update this when I learn more.

The highest peak in the world