Hey, fan, it's me, Amara. Welcome to the Translash podcast, a show where we tell trans

stories to save trans lives. The Trump administration has begun to enforce its trans military

ban after the Supreme Court cleared the way for them to do so last month.

And they ordered trans troops to leave voluntarily, if they did not, trans people risked

and punished, including being discharged dishonably and the loss of veterans' benefits.

For the potentially thousands of trans people and their families who are in the military

or attached to the military, this is a devastating move with lifelong consequences.

And so that's why I thought it was really important for us to hear from two service members just days before the deadline came up.

I wanted to hear what was going through their heads and how this was impacting them as people.

Now, I know that for a variety of reasons that are apparent, that people have a variety of opinions about the military and military service.

It can be downright controversial.

But I think everyone can acknowledge that what's happening here is that targeting people essentially because of who they are

and throwing them out of careers that they have built is a terribly disruptive and painful exercise and one that's designed

to humiliate trans people. And to send the signal, trans soldiers can be targeted than anyone can.

First, I'm joined by Brie Fram, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Space Force, who was one of the highest

ranking out trans officers.

And when I got back to my desk, I sat down and my colleagues walked over to me one by one,

shook my hand, and said, it's an honor to serve with you.

Then I speak with Sam Rodriguez, who has been serving as a lieutenant Junior Grade in the U.S. Navy Medical Service

Corps about their experience being non-binary in the military.

Being trans is just one box that I mark on a piece of paper, just like I would mark that

I have blue eyes.

...