Transgender Soldier finds inclusion, support in Army

CAMP ZAMA, Japan – Spc. Antavius Matthews observed at a younger age that she was extra in contact together with her female aspect than the opposite boys.

Matthews, who was born a male however identifies as a lady, mentioned she struggled to make sense of how she actually felt whereas rising up in a tough a part of Atlanta.

“I was confused at that time,” mentioned Matthews, a provide specialist assigned to the thirty fifth Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. “I was still trying to figure myself out.”

She dressed in feminine clothes and braided her hair, a leap from the powerful exterior displayed by males in her neighborhood. There, random shootings had been frequent, she mentioned, and so was navigating previous drug sellers on her method residence from faculty.

But it was in the halls of her highschool the place she confronted the actual challenges. While youngsters usually look to search out themselves throughout these years, she was continuously teased as she tried to precise herself.

“In school, I would hear remarks from males, calling me all types of names and dragging me through the mud,” mentioned Matthews, now 23. “I learned not to react to it, because you are what you answer to.”

Matthews grew thick pores and skin and strived to stay assured in herself. At 16, she got here out of the closet and advised her household. While the information initially shocked her mom, Matthews mentioned she has since turn into considered one of her greatest supporters.

She mentioned her mom, a single mum or dad who raised 5 kids, is a decided lady who has been an incredible position mannequin.

“She gave us a lot of life lessons about being yourself,” Matthews mentioned, including that her mom additionally taught her to be impartial.

Matthews is considered one of many LGBTQ Soldiers who’ve been capable of brazenly serve since 2011 after the repeal of the Defense Department’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” coverage.

Every June, the army now acknowledges its LGBTQ personnel for his or her service in honor of National Pride Month.

“If you’re fit and you’re qualified to serve, and you can maintain the standards, you should be allowed to serve,” Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III has beforehand mentioned.

Serving with pleasure

In her senior 12 months of highschool, Matthews determined to hitch the Army. She has served 4 years and hopes to quickly be promoted to sergeant.

She mentioned she enjoys her job as a 92Y in the availability room, the lifeline for Army models.

“Without supply, you cannot do anything,” she mentioned. “You won’t have any equipment, office supplies or other miscellaneous items.”

A self-described introvert, Matthews mentioned the Army has helped her come out of her shell and be extra social. And the inclusion discovered in being a part of a cohesive staff has made her extra sympathetic to others in her unit.

“We see each other every day and we go through the same things,” she mentioned. “If I’m stressed out, then they are probably stressed out. We’re battle buddies and we have to care for each other. We are each other’s family.”

Army models are sometimes a hodgepodge of Soldiers from distinctive backgrounds thrown collectively and anticipated to perform any mission.

While at Fort Hood, Texas, which was her earlier obligation station, Matthews mentioned her provide sergeant was a Muslim who opened her eyes to his tradition and the faith of Islam.

“I learned things from him and it was the same for him,” she mentioned. “We were from two different worlds, but we still became friends.”

The sense of belonging she has acquired all through her Army profession has made her extra assured to be herself.

“It makes me feel like I’m wanted,” she mentioned, “and that I’m a human instead of something foreign.”

Being your self

Matthews presently performs a key position in the thirty fifth CSSB’s busy provide room, tucked contained in the U.S. Army Japan headquarters constructing.

Staff Sgt. Natasha Ridgeway, her provide sergeant, described Matthews as a superb Soldier who could be very respectful, loyal and completes any job she receives.

“Everything about her is a breath of fresh air,” Ridgeway mentioned. “She’s always happy, high-spirited.”

When Matthews first arrived to Japan final 12 months, Ridgeway took her underneath her wing to make sure she was correctly in-processed. The sergeant even had Matthews be a part of her household on outings to discover the nation.

With Matthews’ household 1000’s of miles away, Ridgeway mentioned she tries to deal with her like considered one of her personal family members.

“It’s good to know that you still have family right here in this office,” Ridgeway mentioned. “You can be yourself.”

Matthews has drawn inspiration to be her true self from different service members in addition to musical artist Lady Gaga, an advocate for the LGBTQ neighborhood.

“As a kid, it was awesome to see her be herself,” Matthews mentioned. “She didn’t really care about what anybody said about her.”

While the LGBTQ motion has made progress over time, the neighborhood nonetheless battles with psychological well being considerations.

Last month, the Trevor Project, a suicide prevention and psychological well being group that focuses on the queer neighborhood, printed a report that confirmed 45% of youth respondents had severely thought-about suicide in the previous 12 months.

Transgender and nonbinary folks thought-about or tried suicide on the highest charges, and LGBTQ youth of coloration revealed increased charges than their white counterparts, in keeping with the report.

For these combating their very own identification, Matthews encourages them to simply merely be themselves and never fear about what others suppose.

“You can’t love nobody if you can’t love yourself,” she mentioned. “That’s the first thing, and it is kind of the hardest thing to do. It takes time and you’ll get there eventually.”

Related hyperlinks:

U.S. Army Garrison Japan information

USAG Japan official web site

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