Letter from the Executive Editor

 

 

Some days I feel like I am swimming against a tidal wave with the weight of the world pressing against me. I’m sure many of you, like me, feel paralyzed by endless news cycles with frightening headlines, late-night doom-scrolling, endless setbacks, and the feeling that — maybe — this fight is too big.

The temptation to succumb to doom and gloom is real and understandable. Finding hope can feel like a monumental feat when fundamental human rights for LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and other marginalized communities are under threat.

At the same time, I wake up day after day and contemplate how resilient we are. In the face of oppression, despair, and anxiety for the future, the LGBTQ+ community has never backed down.

I am bolstered by the bravery of those who are unafraid to speak up and share their whole, authentic selves, regardless of the consequences. I hold on to the stories of those who served in silence under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, building underground networks to fight for their right to exist and serve openly. The stories of those who fought to be acknowledged and seen as more than their HIV status, finally winning the right to serve with honor. And today, in the unwavering determination of transgender and nonbinary service members who show up, day in and day out, despite actions by lawmakers, policymakers, and their commander in chief to erase their rights, identities, and very existence.

This issue of Modern Military Magazine is a reminder that resilience isn’t about avoiding or ignoring the pain — it’s acknowledging, processing, and choosing to rise above it. Every day, I choose to draw upon the legacy of strength of queer elders and remind myself that we are the inheritors of a long line of heroes who refused to be silenced. I choose to find joy in the midst of struggle knowing it’s not a luxury; it’s a necessity to continue this fight.

It may seem counterintuitive to talk about joy in the midst of struggle. But those who want to erase us, deny our humanity, and refuse to acknowledge our existence are hoping for that. When we lose joy, we lose hope and the will to continue to fight. Joy is resistance and a declaration that even in the face of adversity, we choose to live fully, authentically, and with unwavering hope.

Joy is shared laughter. It's the solidarity of shared community. It’s the celebration of each and every small victory, every hard-won battle, and every moment of connection. I will not allow despair to overshadow the progress our intersecting movements are making. When I turn off social media and talk to friends and neighbors, it’s undeniable that the American people do not want a rollback of support and rights for the LGBTQ+ community, despite what lawmakers and policymakers want you to think.

In these pages, you will learn how an entrepreneur battling depression used her suffering as fuel to create a new platform for improving veteran mental health. You will meet a transgender veteran who barely survived his mental health struggle, but turned his pain into purpose by creating a support group for other Black transgender men. You will hear how veterans in despair discovered healing with psychedelic-assisted therapy, and now find themselves fighting for other veterans to have access to treatment.

You will learn how vital mental health support is for transgender and nonbinary youth and how we can all play a role in ensuring they thrive. You will encounter a queer therapist who reveals the unique, intersecting mental health challenges among service members and veterans who are also LGBTQ+ — and what the military, government, and allies can do to support them.

These inspiring stories are reminders that we are not fighting against something; we are fighting for something. I fight alongside you for a future where service is defined by character, not by prejudice. Where we can all be our full selves freely.

Every meeting, conversation, act of solidarity makes a difference. Every step, no matter how small, changes hearts and minds and gives me — and I hope all of you reading — the strength to continue onward.

I want to highlight some of Modern Military and its coalition partners’ efforts that show the joy, resilience, and impact of this work.

• Two judges granted preliminary injunctions (Shilling and Talbott cases) to ensure trans service members can continue serving. These litigation efforts were led by our friends at GLAD Law, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal, and Human Rights Campaign.
• Modern Military signed onto an amicus brief with Secure Families Initiative and the League of Women Voters of the United States on ACLU’s Mi Familia Vota v. Fontes case. The lawsuit challenged Arizona’s H.B. 2492, a 2022 law that prohibits Arizonans who register to vote without submitting documentary proof of citizenship from voting for president in any federal election. It placed an undue burden on military voters, and in February, a federal appeals court struck down this law.
• In partnership with Senator Merkley’s office, Modern Military worked on and supported the introduction of “National LGBTQ+ Veterans Day,” on September 20. This significant milestone recognizes the invaluable contributions of LGBTQ+ service members and veterans and acknowledges the historical harm caused by discriminatory policies which led to the unjust discharge of countless individuals. The resolution was adopted by Washington, Illinois, New Jersey, Colorado, and D.C.
• Modern Military worked with Congressional, DoD, and partner organizations to achieve policy changes to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ service members and their families in addition to providing cultural competency training to more than 2,000 counselors who serve the military community.
• Modern Military advocated for veterans discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell to receive honorable discharges through the Pentagon’s proactive review process. Ultimately, 824 individuals received relief with either a general discharge or honorable characterization of service. Modern Military continues to advocate to proactively address punitive discharges that may have involved pretextual misconduct charges.
• After being awarded VA’s Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention grant, Modern Military launched its Resilient Heroes program for LGBTQ+ veterans, with peer-facilitated support groups and direct support to address veteran suicide among the LGBTQ+ community.
• Modern Military advocated for equitable family planning access for the LGBTQ+ community, and in 2024, the VA changed its in vitro fertilization (IVF) policy to include eligible unmarried veterans and eligible veterans in same-sex marriages. Modern Military continues to advocate for expanded IVF access for military service members.
• Modern Military built a coalition of national LGBTQ+, legal, and military/veteran organizations to fight anti-equality measures in the FY2025 NDAA. We shared countless personal stories about the importance of access to medically necessary healthcare for military families, facilitated a sign-on letter with 117 organizations, and prompted the American Academy of Pediatrics to create their own sign-on letter with all the major pediatric medical associations. While the healthcare ban ultimately passed into law, we saw the largest Democratic ‘no’ vote on the NDAA in years because of the ban. As part of that effort, a Modern Military MilPride parent’s story was read on the house floor by Rep. Scanlon.
• Lindsay Church, executive director of partner organization Minority Veterans of America, shared powerful testimony about the struggles of LGBTQ+ veterans at a joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs committees (video here; they’re in the panel starting in the third hour)
• Minority Vets unveiled Q’mmunity House, a safe, affirming, and supportive transitional housing program dedicated to meeting the unique needs of LGBTQ+ veterans in King County, Washington.
• SPARTA is leading the fight to advocate for actively serving trangender military members through their peer support network, assistance navigating military policy and healthcare, and mutual aid to members who need assistance with transition-related legal fees. Modern Military is working in coalition with SPARTA and legal partners to connect service members with pro bono counsel for individuals facing separation, administrative action, discipline, or other adverse consequences as a result of their gender identity through our new Pro Bono Attorney Network.

I encourage each and every one of you to cultivate resilience, find joy in resistance, and celebrate every step taken, no matter how small.

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk