Lt. Colonel Bree Fram, a member of the Space Force, is advocating for trans inclusivity and believes that it is a national security imperative.
Fram, who is transgender, uses their position in the Space Force to promote the message of inclusivity. Speaking at Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit in October, Fram emphasized the importance of diversity and the need for trans individuals to serve alongside their peers.
"We fight today, and we are going to fight in the future using brain power. And if that brain, who's going to revolutionize the way we fight in space, we fight in cyber just happens to be in a trans body, you should want them all serving alongside me," Fram stated.
The Most Powerful Women Summit, which took place on October 12, coincided with National Coming Out Day in the US. This day celebrates individuals who come out as not straight and encompasses a range of gender identities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, and gender queer. Fram's introduction at the summit highlighted the significance of Coming Out Day and their role as the highest-ranking out active duty transgender officer in the US Department of Defense.
Fram's work in the Space Force focuses on building a 21st-century military culture. They spoke about the Guardian Spirits document, which guides the Space Force and emphasizes diversity, inclusivity, and vulnerability. Fram highlighted the value of vulnerability in fostering connection and improving teamwork.
During the interview, Fram discussed their own experience of coming out as transgender while serving in the Air Force. They mentioned that being trans was not allowed until 2016 when the Secretary of Defense under Barack Obama's administration declared that it was acceptable for trans individuals to serve. Fram received support from colleagues after announcing their identity on Facebook but believes that more progress is needed in terms of inclusion.
"As one of the senior most trans folks in the military, we embrace that leadership ethos of 'leave no one behind.' How do we bring people along behind us? How do we make sure that they don't face the barriers that we had to face?" Fram said. They emphasized the importance of paving the way for future generations and creating a more inclusive military.
When asked about the challenges that transgender service members still face, Fram mentioned stereotypes as one of the biggest barriers. They addressed stereotypes that assume trans individuals are overly concerned about their appearance or emotions, emphasizing that these stereotypes are not accurate representations.
Fram connected the need for trans inclusion in the military to inclusion in all organizations. They stressed the importance of creating a safe environment where individuals can bring their whole selves to work and contribute their unique perspectives. Fram believes that diversity and inclusion are crucial for future success, both within the military and in other sectors.
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