LGBTQ Rejoice To Trans Military Return

The Biden administration kicked off this week officially reversing Trump’s harmful & discriminatory ban on transgender servicemembers. Winnie Stachelberg, Executive Vice president for External Affairs at the Center for American Progress stated, “President Biden’s executive order rescinding the ban on transgender Americans from serving in the military is another important step toward reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to equal rights & protections under the law for LGBTQ Americans. Donald Trump’s ban was dehumanizing, harmful to military readiness & rooted in the same bigotry that defined his entire administration. Military personnel disagreed with it. Human rights activists disagreed with it. The American people disagreed with it. President Biden’s swift & decisive action to repeal the ban ensures that no American will be forced to choose between living openly as themselves and serving their country…” Aaron Belkin, Director of the Palm Center added, “Those who believe in fact-based public policy & a strong, smart national defense have reason to be proud. The Biden administration has made good on its pledge to put military readiness above political expediency by restoring inclusive policy for transgender troops…” Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force concluded, “We are thrilled that following the swearing in of the first Black secretary of defense General Lloyd Austin, President Biden signed an executive order overturning the discriminatory ban on transgender people serving in the U.S. military. Once again, qualified, dedicated transgender servicemembers & trans people who have waited to serve our country with honor & respect may bring their talents to every branch of the service.”