[SoftPink]

Been in the papers here in Australia last few days, a male captain in the australian army is not only dressing/ living as a woman/ taking hormones etc, but the tax-payers are being charged for his forthcoming sex-change operation - which is the point of contention. He's got wife and 2 children - his wife supports him, but his poor old mum isn't happy - reckons the fella has 'mutilated' his 'beautiful'body etc. Don't have a direct link, but was in the "herald-sun' this week.
actually, just went and looked...here's the location
www.heraldsun.com.au/.../sex-change.../story-e6frf7l6-1225949107379

This post has been edited by SoftPink: 12 November 2010 - 07:51 AM

[Pantyholic]

The Australian Defence Force has announced that they will pay for sex change operations for soldiers. The decision has highlighted the current transgender case of Australian soldier Bridget Clinch. In August of 2009 Matthew Clinch, now known as Bridget Clinch, was diagnosed with Gender Identity Disorder. Clinch confronted the army soon after, announcing that he wanted to become a woman via a sex change operation. According to Defence Force policy a soldier is entitled to medical treatment if they have an officially diagnosed condition and the operation is assessed as necessary for the health and deployment prospects of personnel. In June of 2010 the army told Bridget they intended to discharge her on medical grounds and that they would not pay for the sex change surgery. One month later they reinstated her and initiated a policy review into whether they should pay for the sex change after a complaint to the Human Rights Commission was launched. The army has paid for the initial hormone treatments required for Clinch's sex change, the Sunday Night program reports. Clinch's surgery could occur as soon as April, costing approximately $30,000.

[panty2002au]

I live in Australia and to tell you the truth I am abit….no, VERY pissed off at this guy. I pay my taxes and ask for nothing but a fair go for all. It would seem that if you wanted a sex change op here in Australia all you would have to do is join the Australian Defence Force and Bobs your uncle you are now Mary.
You only have to make a complaint to the Human Rights Commission or say you are going too and the gov caves in……again. Where are MY rights !!!!!!! Make him pay for it himself and not make tax payers pay for it. Where was the pay out when I had my open heart surgery not so long ago, before you ask, yes I was in the forces just like this guy. I just thank my lucky stars I have private health cover which paid for MOST but not all of the bills….sorry folks but this gets my goat and I had to let off steam.

[SoftPink]

y'know, i actually agree with your stance on this, but not as stridently. I fully back this mans decision to seek a sex change - i can identify with it, and empathise with the feelings of both the man in questiion, and his family. It is a massive deal to not only decide you are in the wrong body, but to do something about it is huge - it's courageous, especially given that this bloke emenates from the ultra-macho world of the australian military (can you imagine a WWI or WWII anzac coming out as a wannabe woman?)
But at the same time, i agree, why should this person have taxpayer funding for his medical requirements just because he is in the service of the military? It has nothing to do with his service/ is not a result physically or mentally from his service...no-one questions whether the choice is righjt or wrong - but why should he be looked after by the taxpayer, when the rest of us have to look privately at huge cost? It doesn't make sense. It does actually set a precedent. So, you want a sex change for free? Hey, man, join the australian army....i guess they always wanted more women on the front line

[arnoldlane]

Bridgett is pretty I think. But think she should have kept her tally-wacker. (shallow of me huh? Plus, I live in a country that in the past, has paid thousands of dollars for 1 toilet seat. So not at all suprised at what government does. )

[SoftPink]

youre right, bridget is quite pretty and feminine and soft...and yes, it is a big call to get ones knackers removed - once it's done, it's pretty much final isn't it? I'm wondering, and not being a smart-alec here, if those who get their thingy removed encounter the 'phantom limb syndrome'; where like if a person who loses an arm or leg or something, because its been attached to them for so long, they feel as if it's still there...if after 30-something years of having a penis, and then it wasn't there, i reckon i might get a few phantom boners here and there before i got used to the new situation

[mic091221]

she should have to pay for it him/herself... its only right..