With Valor And Visibility: The Next Chapter of Transgender Military Service

On November 5, 2024, Donald Trump won re-election to the presidency, campaigning on a platform of anti-transgender issues that included reinstating the “Trump Ban” on military service impacting an estimated 15,000 transgender Americans in uniform.Following With Honor and Integrity (2021), With Valor and Visibility presents forty-seven deeply personal stories from transgender service members and veterans. These accounts offer an unfiltered view of what it means to serve as a transgender individual in the U.S. military. From inspiring triumphs to heartrending struggles, these stories shine a light on a community navigating service under the shadow of uncertainty.Captured during a time when the very existence of transgender people in the military—and public life—was under intense scrutiny, these narratives reflect courage in the face of fear. Each contributor chose to share their truth despite the risks, challenging stereotypes and exposing the reality of their experiences.At a moment when transgender service members defend the ideals of a country that seems increasingly unwilling to defend them, these stories resonate with urgency and hope. Together, they hold the power to change hearts, minds, and the future.Courage. It means many things to many people; it's a word we often use in various contexts, from heroic exploits under fire to persevering through a major health crisis. With Valor and Visibility is a story about courage. The courage to proudly stand up as your authentic self, to weather the storms that follow, and to share your journey on a public stage. And when you close the final chapter on this incredible collection of life stories, courage is the one word that remains.Steve Leonard, Former senior military strategist and author of To Boldly Go: Leadership, Strategy, and Conflict in the 21st Century and Beyond Read more