Bree Fram

I then asked “So why bring this into the open now? With all the recent news regarding bathroom bills, the shooting at Pulse in Orlando, and today’s just announced removal of the ban on being trans in the military there’s really no better time… I can have a lot more impact if my story is public. I want to be in a position to help others and visibility is ridiculously important. If my story can sway a few people from neutral to supportive on transgender rights, or educate some folks who never had a reason to be involved or informed, I’d consider coming out a great success.”

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Since coming out, there has been professional and personal heartache, but the joy and the impact of serving authentically has been overwhelming. I joined the military after the September 11th attacks to be part of something larger than myself, and defend the freedoms and opportunities passed on to me. Those motivations haven’t changed, but the opportunity to do so as my authentic self has been an enormous gift to me and our nation. When people are able to lower their shields and stop spending so much energy protecting their identity they can dedicate that energy to the people and mission they support.

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Now, in addition to my duties as an astronautical engineer in the United States Space Force I am honored to lead the United States Department of the Air Force LGBTQ+ Initiatives Team, an organization chartered to knock down policy and organizational barriers to LGBTQ+ military and civilian service. Removing those barriers means that the next generation can do even more, and truly reach their potential in service. Pride means making the DAF a welcoming, inclusive home for everyone. We need the talents of the best and brightest to serve and we need to keep them; we can’t do that without letting people know they matter and that they’re part of the team. As we say in the DAF, “One team, one fight” and my personal coda: to make the world a better place and give others the opportunity to do the same.