A Veteran’s Plea: The Lifeline of Art in a World of Discrimination
Alleria Stanley, a retired U.S. Army veteran and transgender woman, recounts a harrowing journey of service, loss, and the constant battle for acceptance. Her story illuminates the crucial role that community and artistic expression play in the lives of transgender veterans, particularly in a climate increasingly fraught with discrimination and isolation.
Stanley’s service spanned two decades, beginning as an Apache helicopter repairer and later transitioning to an Army X-ray technician. While deployed to Afghanistan in 2005, tragedy struck when her wife was diagnosed with cancer, passing away a mere 12 months after Stanley’s return home. This left her a single parent to their two children, navigating the challenges of military life and single parenthood simultaneously.
Despite the personal hardships, Stanley remained open about her identity with her family. However, it wasn’t until President Barack Obama’s announcement in 2016, allowing transgender members to serve openly, that she felt empowered to come out to the military. This newfound freedom, however, proved fleeting. President Donald Trump’s subsequent intention to reverse this policy cast a shadow of uncertainty and fear over the transgender military community.
Further compounding her challenges, Stanley was stationed at a base in Missouri, a location where acceptance was far from guaranteed. The hostility she encountered was palpable, with fellow soldiers explicitly warning her about dangerous areas of town, hinting at the very real threat of violence. This threat materialized one terrifying day when someone shot into her car while her children were inside the house. This event stands as the most frightening moment of her life, underscoring the dangers faced by transgender individuals, even within the ranks of the military.
Amidst this adversity, Stanley discovered a beacon of hope in the form of Community Building Art Works, an arts organization dedicated to supporting service members. Based out of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the organization had recently expanded its reach online. She joined their program, More Than One Story, which provides a safe space for female and nonbinary veterans to process and share their experiences through writing and art workshops.
Community Building Art Works offered Stanley something invaluable: unconditional acceptance. Unlike mandates driven by policy, their inclusivity stemmed from a genuine understanding of the profound pain of isolation. At a time when Stanley felt compelled to conceal her true identity both at work and within her community, the organization extended a warm embrace, reassuring her that she was welcome and valued.
In 2021, Stanley’s creative writing group received an invitation to perform a collaborative poem at the Military Women’s Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. This event marked a significant milestone, representing a powerful moment of recognition as a transgender woman honored at a Women’s Memorial. It also provided the long-awaited opportunity to meet her fellow group members in person.
Stanley recounts the overwhelming emotion of walking into the "green room" at the memorial in her service dress uniform. The entire room erupted in applause, a gesture that remains etched in her memory. This moment symbolized the culmination of her struggle for acceptance and the profound impact of community support.
Stanley emphasizes the critical importance of programs like More Than One Story, particularly given the rising tide of hate and discrimination targeting transgender individuals. While representation in media can be beneficial, she argues that the most meaningful support comes from personal connections – hearing directly from someone that "Your story matters. You’re important. And you’re not alone."
This sentiment is especially crucial for transgender veterans, who face a disproportionately high risk of suicide, seven times greater than that of U.S. civilians. Organizations like Community Building Art Works, which receive funding through the Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant, are actively working to combat this crisis by employing innovative and unconventional methods of suicide prevention through the arts.
The statistics are alarming: since 9/11, the number of service members and veterans who have died by suicide is four times higher than the number lost in combat. Research has consistently demonstrated the therapeutic power of artistic expression, with creative writing programs for veterans dating back to World War II. These programs provide a vital outlet for processing military experiences and mitigating the risk of suicide. A review of 31 scientific studies found that creative writing significantly improved depressive symptoms.
Stanley expresses deep concern that many programs serving transgender individuals may face funding cuts in the coming years. She underscores that loneliness is a leading risk factor for veteran suicide attempts, particularly among LGBTQ+ veterans. Programs that combat these feelings of loneliness, through the arts and other unconventional means, serve as lifelines for those struggling with isolation and despair.
Stanley poignantly reflects on the power of freedom – the freedom to be one’s true self. For a brief period during her military service, she was fortunate enough to experience this freedom. However, she recognizes that many currently serving do not share this privilege, and that this freedom is under threat for both those serving openly and those enrolled with the VA.
Stanley’s greatest fear is that bigotry and loneliness will push vulnerable individuals to the brink, leaving them without support or hope. She believes that those who are silenced need advocates to speak on their behalf. In her role as a retired U.S. Army servicemember, advocate, and board member of the Transgender American Veterans Association, Alleria Stanley is determined to continue amplifying the voices of transgender veterans and fighting for a future where they are seen, heard, and valued. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of community, artistic expression, and unwavering advocacy in the face of adversity.
