I was in the Marine Corps during the 1980s. Even a hint of homosexuality or wanting to change your gender would have gotten you tossed out on a general discharge. And that is if you were lucky. One Marine was caught in Oceanside, CA in drag and ended up spending time in the brig and given a dishonorable. Today, that same Marine would be celebrated.
It didn't seem all that long ago either. The world is truly upside down.