A Note on Timing and Current Events
This episode was recorded in November 2024, following the U.S. presidential election, at a time when policies and discussions surrounding transgender service members were once again at the forefront of national debate. While TransMilitary and Fiona Dawson’s work have played a critical role in advancing awareness and policy change, recent developments remind us that the fight for equality is far from over.
As legislation and military policies continue to shift, we acknowledge the resilience of transgender service members and the broader LGBTQIA+ community, who continue to face discrimination simply for living as their authentic selves. We stand in solidarity with them and remain committed to amplifying their stories, advocating for their rights, and pushing for a future where all individuals, regardless of gender identity, are treated with dignity and respect.
For the latest updates on military policies affecting transgender individuals and ways to support the community, we encourage readers to stay informed and engaged with advocacy organizations working on the frontlines of this issue.
Fiona Dawson has built her career on the transformative power of storytelling. An Emmy-nominated filmmaker, bestselling author, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Accessibility (DEIBA) consultant, she sees stories not just as entertainment but as a catalyst for empathy, education, and change. Through her films, books, and advocacy, Dawson has dedicated herself to illuminating the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals, creating space for conversations that challenge stereotypes and build understanding.
A Personal and Advocacy-Driven Path to Filmmaking
Fiona’s path to storytelling was shaped by both personal experiences and advocacy. Originally from a small town in the UK, she moved to the U.S. over 24 years ago, immersing herself in advocacy work focused on HIV/AIDS and LGBTQIA+ rights. But it wasn’t until she had her own revelation about her sexual orientation that she understood the complexities of identity in a new way.
Recalling a pivotal moment from her teenage years, Fiona shared a seemingly random conversation she once had with her father. “I can understand men being gay, and I can understand women being lesbians, but I think bisexuals are just greedy,” he had blurted out. Years later, after coming out as a lesbian and then later as bisexual, she realized how deeply ingrained misconceptions about the bi+ community were. “There was such a stigma and a stereotype against the bi+ community, thinking that we’re all just promiscuous and greedy. And some people might be promiscuous and greedy, but that’s not limited to bisexual people,” she reflected.
TransMilitary: A Film That Sparked a National Conversation
Fiona’s most impactful work has come through film. In 2015, she directed Transgender, at War and in Love, an op-doc for The New York Times that followed transgender airman Logan Ireland during his deployment to Afghanistan. The film captured both the challenges and resilience of trans service members, shedding light on the ongoing struggle for inclusion in the military. The documentary earned Fiona an Emmy nomination and set the stage for her next project, TransMilitary (2018), which expanded on the themes introduced in the short film.
The stories of trans service members resonated deeply with Fiona, particularly in the context of the larger fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. She recalled how, after the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, she was shocked to learn that trans individuals were still banned from serving openly. “I felt very ashamed that we’d done all this work, and I hadn’t known that at the time. These were untold stories,” she said. Recognizing the power of storytelling to change policies, Fiona committed herself to documenting the lives of trans service members, giving voice to their experiences in ways that numbers and statistics could not.
“I felt very ashamed that we’d done all this work, and I hadn’t known that at the time. These were untold stories.”
One of the most compelling moments in TransMilitary was Ireland’s journey in Afghanistan, where he was living openly as male despite his official military records still identifying him as female. Fiona contrasted his experience with that of his wife, Laila, a trans woman in the U.S. Army. While Ireland was eventually supported by his superiors, Laila faced discrimination that ultimately led to her medical discharge. “The juxtaposition between how a trans woman is treated versus how a trans man is treated, and a trans woman of color, which is who Laila is as well, is so important,” Fiona noted.
TransMilitary received the SXSW Audience Award in 2018 along with other recognitions from some of the film festivals it was shown at. Most importantly, Fiona explains, “We continued making the feature documentary and the work has been recognized by the White House Champion of Change award and is actually helping end the ban on trans service members. And it’s not just the storytelling, but when you combine storytelling with research, facts, figures and data and advocacy, you’ve got that perfect triad where you can make societal change.”
“And it’s not just the storytelling, but when you combine storytelling with research, facts, figures and data and advocacy, you’ve got that perfect triad where you can make societal change.”
A Commitment to Inclusive Storytelling
Fiona’s work extends beyond film. She is the author of Are Bisexuals Just Greedy?, a book inspired by her father’s offhand comment, and What Does That LGBTQIA+ Label Mean?, a more workplace-friendly version aimed at educating broader audiences. Both books seek to demystify gender and sexuality with humor and clarity.
As a consultant, she partners with organizations to improve DEIBA initiatives, emphasizing the role of storytelling in creating inclusive work environments. “We have to change the way we do DEI work. This isn’t political. This is about everybody wanting to feel happy, safe, and prosperous in their life,” she asserted. Her approach centers on empathy, bringing together diverse employee resource groups (ERGs) and fostering intersectional conversations across organizations.
“We have to change the way we do DEI work. This isn’t political. This is about everybody wanting to feel happy, safe, and prosperous in their life.”
Impact Through Stories That Matter
Fiona’s philosophy on impact is clear: it’s about energy exchange. “A positive impact is when an action or an energy has come to you, and you can put it back out into the world and have a positive outcome,” she explained. She believes in promoting love over fighting hate, advocating for education and understanding rather than division.
“A positive impact is when an action or an energy has come to you, and you can put it back out into the world and have a positive outcome.”
With ongoing attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights and visibility, Fiona remains steadfast in her mission. “Let’s get rid of the motivation to use people’s identities as political bait,” she urged. Instead, she envisions a future where gender and sexual orientation are understood as spectrums, and where everyone—regardless of identity—feels seen, heard, and valued.
For Fiona, storytelling is more than a profession; it’s a calling. And through her films, books, and advocacy, she continues to prove that stories have the power to change hearts, shift policies, and make a lasting impact.
To explore more of Fiona Dawson’s work and support her mission, visit Fiona’s website.
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