Trump's tweets seek to perpetuate one of the most explicit discriminatory federal policies against trans people. Previously, the military created a plan to ensure that transgender service members can serve openly. This is not a time to go backwards on a well-researched decision already made at the highest levels of the military. A recent Defense Department study concluded that transgender service members do not harm unit cohesion, and allowing them to serve openly will have no effect on military readiness or military budgets. The Task Force has fought for open military service for LGBTQ people since 1988 when we launched our Military Freedom Project.
“According to the U.S. trans survey, nearly 1 in 5 trans people in US are currently serving or have served in the military. The US military represents one of the few ways for low income and disenfranchised people, including trans people and people of color, to gain career skills and financial security both now and in the future. No one should be forced to choose between who they are and being able to keep their career,” Said Victoria Rodríguez-Roldán, our Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Justice Project Director.
"As a black transgender man who considered military service, Trump’s tweets appalled and astonished me. There is no way for me to not draw parallels between racial segregation in the military and this discrimination against transgender service members. Trump’s attempts today to divide the military is especially ironic considering that today is the Anniversary of President Truman issuing his 1948 Executive Order ordering the racial desegregation of the military” said Camden Hargrove our Advocacy & Action organizer
