VFW Balks at Trans Veteran

A Navy veteran is making waves with her transition from male to female, but her local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, of which she is a member, is stunned and making possibly discriminatory policies due to her change.

Laura Bush, formerly Larry Bush, who served 24 years in the Navy, has been a member of the General MacArthur Memorial VFW Post 392 in Virginia Beach, Va., since last year, according to The Virginian-Pilot. There, she's made breakfasts, passed out gift bags at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and served as a chaplain.

She spoke with post commander Joe Brady, who allowed her to come to a meeting to speak about being transgender. However, when she arrived wearing a female dress uniform, the organization quickly reacted, making provisions to cancel her membership unless she makes her appearances dressed in male clothing until she undergoes gender-reassignment surgery or legally changes her name. She has begun taking steps for the latter process, and she hopes to begin hormone therapy soon.

She said the VFW means a lot to her, but argued that the organization does not have a dress code and is supposed to accept anyone with an honorable discharge from the armed forces.