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Thursday, August 10, 2017
“They did not see us. We made sure they didn’t.” Transgender individuals continue the struggle against possible military ban and healthcare complications By NISA KHAN and JENNIFER MEER Summer Editor in Chief and Summer Managing News Editor
This article is the first part of a larger piece dedicated to the experiences of some transgender individuals. The second part will be available on michigandaily.com soon. It was 1974; Charin Davenport was 18 when she joined the military. Despite opposing the Vietnam War, the teenager from Essexville, Mich., had many reasons for wanting to join the Navy. A need to give back to the country was one; there was also the desire to have more experiences outside of the town. “I really wanted to see the world,” she said. “And I did. Another part of it was I had to get out of there. Because there was no future, short-term or long-term for me there.” She also thought that joining the military would help her feel like more of the gender she was assigned to. “I thought at that age … the problem was that I wasn’t a good enough man,” the now 61-yearold Oakland University professor said. “And
that the Navy would help me become that man, that would kind of man me up. And I talked to a lot of veterans who felt the same way. Because it’s kind of that hyper-masculine environment. And so, in that environment, surely I would become the man I was suppose to be and I so far failed at.” Davenport was in the military for seven years. While she was not out in the military, she was aware of several of her fellow officers who were also trans. “I was not out when I served,” she said. “That would have been a death sentence. The secrecy between ourselves was far beyond any top-secret clearance the military could have had. They did not know us. They did not see us. We made sure they didn’t.” The reception of returning Vietnam and Korean soldiers was a national shame, Davenport explained, since they were not treated with respect. With all of the debate, the presidents at the time would at least be on the side of the troops. “And then on that day, the President of the United States Donald Trump spit on us,” she said. “And said, ‘No no no you’re right, spit on them.’ And to me, that is absolutely despicable. And I was so angry. So hurt. And I will never stop saying that. I’m angry. So angry about it.” “I hate war, let me be very clear about that,”
she said. “But we can never lose that bond. We cannot lose that bond. And Donald Trump, our president that we elected in this country, basically told us to fuck off.” “I will never feel any differently about what he did,” she said. “Analyze all you want — there is no analysis to be made. That’s what happened.” The military ban Davenport is one of the approximate
134,300 retired transgender veterans who have served in the U.S. military — a number that is difficult to pinpoint as the ban on transgender individuals was lifted just last year under the Obama administration. “Don’t ask, don’t tell,” the policy regarding sexual orientation, was discontinued in 2011, but repeal did not extend to gender identity — transgender individuals were deemed to have a See MILITARY, Page 3
Michigan’s talented linebackers primed for breakout season McCray, the lone returning defensive starter, taking on a leadership role By JACOB SHAMES Summer Managing Sports Editor
inside
Before last season, Mike McCray had recorded just two tackles in his college career and had never started a game for the Michigan football team.
NEWS
Diversity program Big House program encourages diverse applicant pool. >> SEE PAGE 8
McCray, a former four-star recruit out of high school, had always shown promise — a blocked punt in a victory over Appalachian State in 2014 had displayed as much. But McCray couldn’t stay on the field — health problems, including a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the entire 2015 season, derailed his first three years in a Wolverine uniform. With the graduation of three senior linebackers — Joe Bolden, Desmond Morgan and James Ross — a healthy McCray finally got his chance last year and ran
OPINION
Being alone
“Solitude requires selfconfidence to enjoy...” >> SEE PAGE 4
with it. He made an immediate impact in his first start, a season-opening victory over Hawaii where he made nine tackles, 3.5 for loss and two sacks, to kick-start an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention campaign in which he totalled 76 stops, including 12.5 for a loss as well as 4.5 sacks and two interceptions. One year later, the fifth-year senior linebacker is the only returning starter from the previous season’s dominant defense. But that’s not the only thing different about McCray, according to line-
ARTS
‘Detroit,’ a tragic historical tale
New film retells the story of famous 1967 riot. >> SEE PAGE 6
backers coach Chris Partridge. “There’s an aura about him that’s different than it was last year and that’s important because guys will look up to him,” Partridge said. “He’s a hard worker and he’s tough, he’s a Big Ten linebacker. Now with that aura about him and that sense of leadership he’s stepped his game up.” To Partridge, McCray has carried himself in a different manner so far in fall camp — a manner that is essential. The omnipresent theme for Michigan — young See FOOTBALL, Page 11
SPORTS
Soccer roster Despite a 4-11-4 record last season, young talent abounds for Michigan. >> SEE PAGE 11
INDEX Vol. CXXVII, No. 81| © 2017 The Michigan Daily michigandaily.com
NEWS .................................... 2 SUDOKU................................ 2 OPINION ............................... 4 ARTS ...................................... 6 CLASSIFIEDS......................... 8 SPORTS.................................10