Vermont Public is independent, community-supported media, serving Vermont with trusted, relevant and essential information. We share stories that bring people together, from every corner of our region. New to Vermont Public? Start here.

© 2024 Vermont Public | 365 Troy Ave. Colchester, VT 05446

Public Files:
WVTI · WOXM · WVBA · WVNK · WVTQ · WVTX
WVPR · WRVT · WOXR · WNCH · WVPA
WVPS · WVXR · WETK · WVTB · WVER
WVER-FM · WVLR-FM · WBTN-FM

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@vermontpublic.org or call 802-655-9451.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Female and gender nonconforming veterans say they face challenges in the military

Chelsea Donaldson of the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center moderated a panel discussion on gender and gender expression in the military with veterans Pam Campos-Palma, Lindsay Church and Juliet Taylor.
Courtesy photo
Chelsea Donaldson of the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center moderated a panel discussion on gender and gender expression in the military with veterans Pam Campos-Palma, Lindsay Church and Juliet Taylor.

Gender and expression can play a significant role in the careers of military personnel. The Connecticut Veterans Legal Center brought veterans from across the country together to shine a light on gender identity in the military. The diverse group of female and gender nonconforming veterans shared how their gender, or their expression of it, impacted their military careers.

Lindsay Church from Oregon joined the Navy after 9/11 while the controversial Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy prevented members of the LGBTQ community from serving openly. They said they got back in the closet because they felt called to serve.

“It was supposed to be ‘don't ask, don't tell, don't pursue’ but they pursued all the time,” said Church, who is now the executive director of Minority Veterans of America. “If you misstep, it's not just like you lose your job. When you lose your job in the military and they push you out — it ruins your life.”

Church said even though the policy was repealed, many veterans received less than honorable discharges that can block access to employment and VA benefits. The Connecticut Veterans Legal Center is urging the military to overhaul its criteria for determining discharge status.

“I experienced racial, gendered hostilities and violence, including rape, and also saw myself intervening in multiple rapes at a very young age,” Pam Campos-Palma said about her service as an Air Force intelligence analyst. She’s now a political strategist for the Working Families Party and an advocate with Vets for the People.

As a queer Latina, Campos-Palma said she often felt like senior leaders did not take her seriously unless she wore makeup and conformed to other stereotypes.

The Connecticut Veterans Legal Center hosted the panel as part of its efforts to advance equity and inclusion in the military.

This story was produced by the American Homefront Project, a public media collaboration that reports on American military life and veterans. Funding comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Copyright 2021 WSHU. To see more, visit WSHU.

Desiree D'Iorio
Born and raised in Connecticut, Desiree now calls Long Island home. She is WSHU’s 2019-2020 News Fellow, covering local government, the environment and public affairs on Long Island. She received her A.A. in Communications from Nassau Community College and B.A. in Journalism from Stony Brook University. Her past internships were at the Long Island Press and WSHU. In 2019, she co-wrote a four-part series about the Long Island Pine Barrens, bringing to listeners the sights and sounds of this unique ecosystem nestled in the heart of Suffolk County. There are 300 tabs open across her devices at all times.
Latest Stories