The U.S. Army soldier took a deep breath before hitting the button that sent the email to more than 200 fellow troops. "All considered, I am, and have been, traversing what is essentially a personal matter, but is something I must address publicly," the email stated. After the Defense Department announced in 2015 that it was considering allowing transgender troops to serve openly, Sims told Natasha and their parents. Sims is the first transgender person Shorter has known. The cost of her surgery can run close to $50,000, which Sims was expecting the military would help cover.

Source: ABC News July 31, 2017 08:06 UTC