Major Alivia Stehlik, a transgender service member, shares her experiences and concerns about the impact of such a ban on her career and the military community. The article highlights the challenges faced by transgender troops, the political and social implications of the ban, and the broader context of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the United States. It also emphasizes the dedication and resilience of transgender service members like Stehlik, who continue to serve despite the uncertainty surrounding their future in the military.
Photo: Major Alivia Stehlik lives in Nashville with her partner and dog Mozzie. (Stacy Kranitz for The 19th)
Most teens (69%) say that whether someone is a man or a woman is determined by the sex they were assigned at birth. Another 30% say a person’s gender can be different from their sex at birth. Similarly, 65% of adults say a person’s gender is determined by their sex at birth, while 33% say gender and sex can differ.