Charlotte Clymer: Service, Identity, and Speaking the Truth

From enlisting in the Army at 19 to becoming one of the nation’s most powerful voices for LGBTQ rights, Charlotte Clymer has never taken the easy path. In this episode, she joins the Scientista Podcast to reflect on her journey, what service taught her, and how her identity as a trans woman, a veteran, and a person of faith shapes her advocacy today. We talk about the dangers of erasing trans voices, the backlash against inclusion in the military and sports, and why building community—and showing up—matters now more than ever.

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Transcript

Charlotte Clymer: Fighting for Her Country—and Her Rights

On this episode of the Scientista Podcast, hosts Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina sit down with Charlotte Clymer—veteran, writer, activist, and one of the most fearless voices in the fight for LGBTQ rights and gender equality.

Charlotte’s story is one of grit, service, and unflinching honesty. She enlisted in the U.S. Army at 19, an experience she describes as profoundly formative—an education in discipline, duty, and identity. “It taught me who I am,” she says. But she also speaks with nuance about what it means to serve under a commander-in-chief who weaponizes patriotism while attacking the very people who serve.

In this powerful conversation, Charlotte opens up about her journey as a transgender woman in a country that is increasingly targeting trans people—not only through political rhetoric but through policies that strip away rights and dignity. From the military’s ban on trans service to the broader wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation, Charlotte breaks it all down with clarity, compassion, and fire.

Her message is clear: this isn’t about political theater. It’s about real lives. Real people. And real consequences. She warns that if efforts like the SAFE Act move forward, trans people across the country could lose not just access to healthcare, but even the right to vote. “I could lose the right to vote in the next few months. As an American citizen,” she says, the weight of her words landing hard.

Charlotte also reflects on the cultural obsession with trans athletes, dismantling the misinformation with statistics and sharp insight. “This isn’t about science or fairness,” she says. “It’s about discomfort with trans visibility.” Through humor and truth, she calls out the hypocrisy of figures like Caitlyn Jenner, while urging Democratic leaders to stop avoiding the issue and start standing up.

But this episode isn’t just about policy and politics—it’s deeply personal. Charlotte speaks candidly about her faith, her time praying to not be trans, and how coming out brought her closer to God. “Being trans,” she says, “is a blessing. It gives you perspective—and empathy.”

As always, the Scientista Podcast goes beyond the headlines to uncover the stories behind the leaders. Charlotte’s story is one of courage and complexity—a reminder that the personal is political, and the fight for justice starts with showing up.

Listen now to hear Charlotte’s reflections on service, identity, and the power of community—and why, even in the face of fear, she still believes in a future worth fighting for.