What People Are Saying About The Transgender Military Ban
People across the country agree: anyone qualified and willing should be able to serve. Click through the videos below to learn why servicemembers, activists, and members of Congress stand with our transgender troops and against Trump’s cruel and discriminatory transgender military ban.
When I was bleeding to death in my Black Hawk helicopter after I was shot down, I didn’t care if the American troops risking their lives to help save me were gay, straight, trans, black, white or brown. All that mattered was they didn’t leave me behind.” Senator Tammy Duckworth, Illinois
“It’s time to send a clear message: this ban is shameful. It’s un-American. And we won’t stop fighting to overturn it.” Senator Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts
“Both law and public opinion are on our side. We stand for equality and we are on the right side of history.” Representative Pramila Jayapal, Washington
“I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that we have equality across the board for every single American.” Representative Deb Haaland, New Mexico
“Without caveat or condition, transgender American troops put their lives on the line for the benefit of us all every single day.” Representative Joe Kennedy III, Massachusetts
“I proudly stand with trans service members who honor us by putting themselves in dangerous situations – and they do so because they love this country.” Representative James McGovern, Massachusetts
“I believe anyone who loves America and has the courage to serve should be given that opportunity and respected for it.” Representative Jared Golden, Maine
“The transgender military ban has no place in our country.”
House Majority Whip James Clyburn, South Carolina
“I serve to ensure that the freedoms gifted to me by all of those who fought for our nation’s highest ideals are passed on to future generations.”
Lieutenant Colonel, USAF Bryan (Bree) Fram
“If we’re willing to put our lives on the front line for this country, this country should then be willing to do right by us as trans people and support us for who we are authentically.”
Founder, Trans People of Color Coalition Kylar Broadus
“We see ourselves as a battle buddy, we’re always there for each other. Being ready has nothing to do with the fact that we’re trans.”
United States Veteran Reserve Corps, Karen Kendra Holmes
“Why do I serve? Out of love. Love for my country. Love for my fellow Americans. I love being able to put on my uniform and be part of something bigger than myself every single day.”
Staff Sergeant, USAF Tamar Billiet
“The ban has affected our family by taking away our peace of mind. I witnessed my partner, the man I admire for his commitment to the Air Force, being humiliated for being himself.”
Dr. Eunice Aviles and USAF Veteran Dana Delgardo
In the News
“Any American who meets current medical and readiness standards should be allowed to continue serving. There is no reason to force service members who are able to fight, train, and deploy to leave the military–regardless of their gender identity.” – Senator John McCain
“Every patriotic American who is qualified to serve in our military should be able to serve. Full stop.” – Vice President Joe Biden
“There is no medically valid reason to exclude transgender individuals from military service. Transgender individuals are serving their country with honor, and they should be allowed to continue doing so.” – David O. Barbe, President of the American Medical Association
“I would like to state unequivocally that there is no medically valid reason — including a diagnosis of gender dysphoria — to exclude transgender individuals from military service.The conclusions drawn in the Mattis Report that transgender people are not fit to serve are at odds with the medical and scientific consensus. Transgender individuals are fully capable of serving. There is nothing about being transgender that diminishes a person’s ability to serve in the military. I know this because I have served in the military with transgender people, including in combat. My own personal experience has been that our transgender service members are some of the most qualified, effective, individuals we have serving our country.” –Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH (testifying in a personal capacity based on his experience as a combat veteran and his background in military medicine and transgender health at the House Armed Service Committee hearing on Transgender Service in the Military Policy)
“No one with the strength and bravery to serve in the U.S. military should be turned away because of who they are. The House will continue to fight this discriminatory action, which has no place in our country. We will never allow hate and prejudice to dictate our national security.” – Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
“This is the right thing to do for our people and for the force. We’re talking about talented Americans who are serving with distinction or who want the opportunity to serve. We can’t allow barriers unrelated to a person’s qualifications prevent us from recruiting and retaining those who can best accomplish the mission.” – Former Secretary of Defense Ash Carter (announcing that transgender troops would now be able to openly serve in the U.S. armed services)
“President Trump’s ban on transgender military service is utterly discriminatory and unconstitutional. Anyone who is qualified should be allowed to serve their country openly, and not be punished for their patriotism due to an arbitrary and bigoted limitation that the President announced in a tweet. We have fought this policy every step of the way, and if the Supreme Court takes up this issue, we will continue to fight it there.” – Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Adam Smith
“We affirm that transgender Americans should have the same opportunity to serve in our armed forces — and be held to the same health and fitness standards — as everyone else. We stand with the Service Chiefs of all five military branches who have testified that transgender-inclusive service — which has been policy for over 2.5 years — has succeeded, while discrimination and double standards harm combat effectiveness by wasting talent and compromising military integrity. And we stand with our fellow servicemembers currently putting their lives at risk for our security — who made the same commitment, and deserve the same treatment, as every American who has ever worn our nation’s uniform.” – 41 retired General and Admirals
“The President’s bigoted decision to ban transgender Americans from serving in the military, carries with it echoes of some of the most ignorant, intolerant moments in our history that saw women, black Americans, gays and lesbians barred from fully participating in our Armed Forces,” said Congressman Anthony Brown. “Transgender servicemembers are serving honorably right now, and their service should neither be undermined nor diminished. I’m proud to join my colleagues in standing on the right side of history by introducing this legislation that aligns with my deepest belief: that any patriotic American who is fit to serve should be afforded the opportunity to serve and sacrifice for our country.”- Congressman Anthony Brown
“I strongly believe that anyone who is qualified, able to be deployed into war zones, and wants to serve should continue to be allowed to do so, including our transgender troops.” – Senator Susan Collins
“Our transgender servicemembers put their lives on the line every day despite an ill-advised edict from the President. This bill makes it clear to our brave transgender troops that we see them and that we honor the risks they take and sacrifices that they and their families make for the safety of our country. It’s also solid common sense. The President’s ban is not only hateful and un-American, it harms military readiness and morale and ultimately makes our country less strong.” Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Chair of the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee (introducing H.R.1032, Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Allow Transgender Individuals to Openly Join and Serve in the Military)
Public Support
Nearly 60% of Americans said transgender people should be allowed to serve in the U.S. armed forces. – Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll
70% of American voters say that transgender people should be allowed to serve in the military. – Quinnipiac poll
71% of Americans support transgender people openly serving in the military, with support from 56% of veterans –Gallup poll
