Calls Grow For Trans Military Ban To Be Lifted In The U.S.
Last year, the Trump administration banned trans people from serving in the military. Now there are calls in the United States seeking to lift the ban because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
According to ‘Gay Times’, Lamba Legal, an organisation which fights for LGBT+ rights, are the ones calling for this lift. Peter Renn, a lawyer for the organisations said that “The dangers of discrimination come into sharpest focus in all-hands-on-deck moments like this, when we need every capable and talented person available.
“But the government has excluded a group of people based on a characteristic unrelated to merit … the military is essentially cutting off its nose to spite its face.”
Several trans people spoke to the Thomas Reuters Foundation about being unable to serve, despite their wishes to do so. “I almost feel like a caged animal – I’m just kind of standing here on the sidelines watching everything happen in front of me,” said Nic Talbott, one of the four plaintiffs in a case challenging the ban.
He added: “I am capable, qualified and willing to do more, but there’s this barrier in front of me that makes absolutely no sense.”
John Roberts, a trans man who wants to be part of the National Guard, has been deployed to help with the coronavirus pandemic. He said that “It’s probably the most frustrating thing I’ve had to deal with in my entire life. I’m ready, I’m here, I’m willing, I’m qualified. I want to get out there. And I want to help.”
Another trans man, Kaycen Bradley, said: “There’s a lot of scepticism around whether or not we’re able to do it, but at the end of the day, I’ve surpassed most of the cisgender men that I train with.
“I’m able to do anything they’re able to do, if not more … if you’re holding back people that means you’re not really worried about the military at all, or about our safety and defense.”
So far, emails sent to Reuters from the Department of Defence said: “The Department is not considering adjusting existing policy.”
Read related myGwork articles here:
House of Representatives Votes to End Trump’s Trans Military Ban
Funding for Trump’s Ban on Trans Military Soldiers Stopped by Democrats
California National Guard Will Not Obey Trump’s Ban on Transgender People
13,700 Trans Military Service People Will Lose Their Jobs Today
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