''We did our time. What happened to us after we got out doesn't have anything to do with whether we deserve care. We are aware that times are tough for veterans programs and that it is difficult to get care at some VA facilities. We would just like to be treated just as crappily as everyone else.''

Monica Helms, a Navy veteran and president of the Transgender American Veterans Association, responding to the findings of a poll of 660 transgender vets. According to the poll these vets did not use the VA.. Hospitals because transgender care was not covered and because of the lack of respect that they received when they did go to the V.A. (Air Force Times)