Since coming out as a transgender man in the military, Lt. Shachar Erez started speaking publicly with audiences around the country about his experiences.
Erez sat down with PGN March 27 in between speaking engagements at Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania. The 23-year-old noted mixed feelings about sharing his story.
“It’s a great honor. It’s a bit embarrassing,” Erez said with a laugh. “I’m not used to speaking in front of people. It’s very personal for me but I understand this story can affect others. I’m too privileged. So I have to use this privilege to help others.”
Erez, who is from South Israel, recognizes these privileges as an officer in the Israel Defense Forces. He said all of his commanding officers have been supportive, and the IDF paid for his transition-related hormones and surgery.
One particular positive experience came from a commanding officer who discovered he was sleeping in his work uniform. She gave Erez the ability to shower separately and permission to wear only his field uniform, which is the same for men and women.
“It gave me the confidence I needed to believe in myself, to believe that my professional abilities have nothing to do with my gender,” Erez said. “This was my main fear — that my gender identity would get in my way and stop me from doing a good job. [My officers] made me feel like I can do anything.”
However, Erez still feared coming out to his colleagues.
“It was terrifying, not because of my colleagues but because it was to let go of this secret,” Erez said. “I truly felt that if I let go, the sky would fall.”
The sky ultimately did not fall.
Once Erez officially “let go,” the IDF expanded to include educational programs promoting acceptance and providing lessons on the needs of transgender colleagues. Additionally, officers are now required to address others by the pronouns corresponding to the gender with which they identify.
Erez also developed deeper connections with colleagues. He recalled one transgender individual who was drafted into the IDF and who wanted to be on the force.
“In the beginning, I spoke with him and his parents and everything was fine,” Erez said. “[Then he went] to a military psychologist who said to him, ‘You are a great kid. You are smart. You are passionate. I think you are great but I don’t think the IDF can treat you well because you are trans.’ So he dismissed him from the service and said he didn’t have to join the military. And he wanted to join the military.”
Erez, who was already an officer at the time, said, “The psychologist was just wrong.” So he accompanied the aspiring officer and spoke with the Gender Affairs Office within IDF to reverse the decision. Erez said the man is currently in one of the best intelligence units in the IDF because he’s a “genius.” He still remains in touch with the officer and his family.
Erez has influence in the IDF but said he would also like to speak directly with the transgender students who are being harmed by President Donald Trump rescinding protections for them in the United States.
“I wish to say to each and every one of them if I had a chance: Things will get better,” Erez said. “I can’t imagine the prime minister of Israel addressing where I should go to pee. It’s ridiculous when you say it like this but it’s not ridiculous. In the IDF — for me — it was never an issue. It’s sad to hear that people are making it an issue when it doesn’t have to be.”