WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Joe Kennedy III ( D-MA,4 ) led efforts for a resolution opposing President Trump's ban on openly transgender service members from serving in our nation's military and urging the Department of Defense to not reinstate this discriminatory policy as litigation against the Administration's proposed ban continues. The resolution has 103 cosponsors.
The American Military Partner Association ( AMPA ), OutServe-SLDN, and SPARTA, the nation's three key advocacy and support organizations for our LGBTQ military, veteran, and military family communities, issued the following responses:
"At this very moment, thousands of patriots who happen to be transgender are willing to risk their very lives for our nation — from active duty military members to qualified recruits who want to serve," said American Military Partner Association President Ashley Broadway-Mack. "While the Trump-Pence administration unconscionably singles out these brave transgender Americans for discrimination, it's crucial that Members of Congress make clear they stand behind them and are grateful for their service and sacrifice. We are thankful for Representative Joe Kennedy's leadership on this important resolution."
"We applaud Congressman Kennedy and the co-sponsors of this referendum for the unwavering and visible support of our nation's patriots, no matter their gender identity," said OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Andy Blevins. "As the litigation surrounding this unnecessary and unwarranted ban continues,
our brave, transgender service members remain steadfast in their selfless service and commitment to our nation. We applaud the efforts of our Congressional leaders as they work to eclipse the hostility coming from the Trump-Pence Administration and remind our service members that we see them, we are proud of them, and they will not be left behind."
"We thank our leaders for their support of transgender service members who contribute every day to the increased readiness and lethality of our military as their authentic selves," said SPARTA President Blake Dremann.
The American Military Partner Association ( AMPA ) is the nation's largest organization of LGBT military spouses, their families, and allies. A non-profit organization with more than 50,000 members and supporters, AMPA is committed to education, advocacy, and support for "modern military families." For more information, visit www.MilitaryPartners.org .
OutServe-SLDN (OS-SLDN) is the largest non-profit, legal services, advocacy and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. With more than fifty chapters and 60,000 subscribers around the world, OS-SLDN supports a professional network of LGBT military personnel and strives to create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. OS-SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org .
—From press releases
