The U.S. military is so far behind the rest of our society.

Today, the gay and lesbian people are accepted. Their families are welcome in the units where they serve. This is not so for transgender people in any way. But, nevertheless, it could be.

Our allies, Great Britain, Australia, Israel, some of the strongest militaries in the world, allow transgender people to serve openly and have experienced no ill effects from that.

We have strong statistical evidence that shows that transgender people are twice as likely as their fellow citizens to join the military, to have served in the military.

The implementation of don't ask, don't tell's repeal has gone very, very well.

If we know one thing from the transgender people who are currently serving - I'm in contact with one group that counts almost 200 people in uniform today who identify as transgender - it is a process that they have - that many of them have begun, that many of them would very much like to complete, if they could do so without putting their years at risk.

In some states, a very small number of states, it is illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of their gender identity, transgender identification. In the vast majority, it is perfectly legal.