WEBVTT THE U.S. CAPITOL, THIS VETERAN SAYS HE IS HONORED TO BE INVITED AND READY TO SEND A MESSAGE. HE SERVED PROUDLY IN THE U.S. NAVY 2002 IDENTIFYING AS A FEMALE AND A LESBIAN AT THE TIME. HONORABLY DISCHARGED BY CHOICE. >> I LEFT SERVICE DURING "DO NOT ASK, DO NOT TELL." I AM COMING OUT NOW AS MY AUTHENTIC SELF. THIS IS A TURNAROUND IN MY LIFE. I AM HONORED TO BE THERE AND PROUD OF MY SERVICE. JEAN: HE WILL SERVE AS THE INVITED GUESTS OF CONGRESSMAN CHRIS PAPPAS, THE FIRST OPENLY GAY MEMBER IN CONGRESS FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE. AS A TRANSGENDER VETERAN AND A UNH STUDENT, SHE CALLS THE BAN DISHEARTENING. >> TALK OF BEING FORCED OUT OF SERVICE IS HARMFUL. AND IT FEELS SCARY TO ME BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE. JEAN: WHILE IT IS STILL UNCLEAR HOW THE MILITARY WILL TAKE ACTION ON THE TRANSGENDER BAN, HE SAYS IT IS CLEAR THAT HE WILL SEND A MESSAGE WITH PRIDE. >> MY FATHER SERVED TWO TORS IN VIETNAM -- TOURS IN VIETNAM FOR THIS COUNTRY. JEAN: HE WILL NOT BE ALONE. THREE OTHER MEMBERS OF CONGRESS INVITED TRANSGENDER PEOPLE WITH MILITARY EXPERIENCE TO TOMORROW NIGHT’S ST
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Pappas invites transgender veteran to be State of the Union guest
President Donald Trump will deliver his second State of the Union address Tuesday night.Members of Congress traditionally invite guests to the address, and freshman U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., the first openly gay member of Congress from New Hampshire, has invited transgender veteran Tavion Dignard.Dignard served in the U.S. Navy from 1998 to 2002, identifying as female and a lesbian at the time. He was honorably discharged by choice and is now studying at the University of New Hampshire."I left service during 'don't ask, don't tell,' identifying a different way. At this time, coming out as my authentic self as transgender and being able to be at the State of the Union -- a turnaround in my life, and I'm just honored to be there and proud of my service," Dignard said.He called Trump's ban on transgender people in the military "disheartening.""Talk of being forced out of service, it's just harmful. Harmful and it just feels scary to me because I know what that feels like," Dignard said.While it's still unclear how or when the military could take action on the transgender ban, Dignard said he's honored to be invited and ready to send a message."My father, who served two years in Vietnam and 27 years in this country, I feel his spirit with me -- all of this. Just grateful. A very grateful heart," he said.At least three other members of Congress invited transgender people with military experience to the State of the Union address.
WASHINGTON —
President Donald Trump will deliver his second State of the Union address Tuesday night.
Members of Congress traditionally invite guests to the address, and freshman U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., the first openly gay member of Congress from New Hampshire, has invited transgender veteran Tavion Dignard.
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Dignard served in the U.S. Navy from 1998 to 2002, identifying as female and a lesbian at the time. He was honorably discharged by choice and is now studying at the University of New Hampshire.
"I left service during 'don't ask, don't tell,' identifying a different way. At this time, coming out as my authentic self as transgender and being able to be at the State of the Union -- a turnaround in my life, and I'm just honored to be there and proud of my service," Dignard said.
He called Trump's ban on transgender people in the military "disheartening."
"Talk of being forced out of service, it's just harmful. Harmful and it just feels scary to me because I know what that feels like," Dignard said.
While it's still unclear how or when the military could take action on the transgender ban, Dignard said he's honored to be invited and ready to send a message.
"My father, who served two years in Vietnam and 27 years in this country, I feel his spirit with me -- all of this. Just grateful. A very grateful heart," he said.
At least three other members of Congress invited transgender people with military experience to the State of the Union address.
