Equality Florida’s TransAction Rejects Trump’s Attacks On Transgender Service Members

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- The White House is expected to send guidance to the Pentagon directing them to implement Trump’s administration ban on transgender people serving in the military. The White House guidance will reportedly direct the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to deny admittance to transgender individuals, to stop providing medical treatment regimens for transgender troops currently serving, and to review transgender service members’ “deployability” in deciding whether to kick them out of the military. The 2½-page memo gives Secretary Mattis six months to fully implement the new ban.

There has been overwhelming condemnation of President Trump’s transgender military ban. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights’ condemned the ban, stating, “If implemented, the ban would further harm Americans, and weaken our defense, by enshrining unequal treatment of Americans based on rank stereotype.”

A Reuters/Ipsos poll in late July found that the majority of Americans believe transgender people should be allowed to serve. Fifty-six retired generals and admirals warned that the ban, if implemented, would degrade military readiness. More than 50 House Armed Services, Judiciary, and LGBT Equality Caucus Democrats urged Secretary Mattis and the Joint Chiefs of Staff not to comply with the proposed unconstitutional ban. And Navy professors released a report indicating that implementation of the ban would cost the military more than $960 million — 100 times the estimated cost of trans healthcare.

Military commanders have already gone on record as being opposed to this move. And, the Trump Administration is facing a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of transgender service members by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), challenging Trump’s attempt to reinstate a transgender military ban.

Equality Florida’s Director of Transgender Equality Gina Duncan provided the following statement:

“The implementation of a transgender ban in the military is blatant discrimination against transgender service members stationed around the world who are bravely serving their country. This policy, if implemented, is attacking thousands of honorable and courageous transgender patriots and sending a message to all transgender people that they are unfit to serve our country simply because of who they are.

In the words of a transgender active duty officer, who wishes to remain anonymous:

“As an active duty service member, I am deeply saddened by the news that within days I will have guidance on ending my 20 year career serving this great nation. Until then, I will stand and continue to serve even if my leadership betrays us. We will be the professionals as we have always been. I have deployed seven times and been forward deployed nine years. It was not always easy, but I will always be proud. I understand service and sacrifice. I would plead that leadership allows us transgender service members to serve to our full capacity and when ready, leave with dignity and respect. Leadership continually talks about those two words but actions speak louder than words; don’t make yourselves hypocrites! We are fit to fight!

ALLOW US TO SERVE! TREAT US WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT! HOOYA!”

We are calling on our supporters to contact the Joint Chiefs of Staff today and tell them that this transgender military ban is wrong for our brave service members and wrong for our country.

Website: Joint Chiefs of Staff

Contact: Contact the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Main Address:
9999 Joint Staff Pentagon
Washington, DC 20318-9999
Phone Number: 1-703-545-6700