01/28/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/28/2025 16:07
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Equality California released the following statement from Executive Director Tony Hoang in response to President Trump issuing an executive order directing the Department of Defense-chiefly, newly-sworn in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth-to create new policy regarding transgender servicemembers:
"Donald Trump's continued efforts to stop transgender people from openly serving in the armed forces are discriminatory, and compromise the safety of all Americans.
In a disturbing replay of his first term, Trump has signed an executive order concerning transgender people serving in the armed forces. Although this action does not immediately ban transgender servicemembers, it does direct the Pentagon to determine a policy within 30 days and states that the current Defense Department's policy for troop readiness is 'inconsistent with the medical, surgical, and mental health constraints on individuals with gender dysphoria,' language that could open the door to an outright ban or force transgender servicemembers back into the closet.
Barring qualified and loyal Americans from serving reduces military readiness and only creates division, not cohesion. Make no mistake-this decision puts us all at greater risk. And with the recent confirmation of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, our national security is in a more precarious position than ever. We are also greatly disturbed by the sheer amount of animus present in the executive order-President Trump seems to relish belittling and harassing members of the transgender community.
With this order, Trump is attacking Americans who have risen above many obstacles and have demonstrated tenacity, strength, and courage. Every service member understands that when you put on the uniform, differences fade, and the focus is solely on completing the shared mission. We strongly encourage President Trump, Secretary Hegseth, and the Department of Defense to continue allowing transgender people who meet the same qualifications as their non-transgender peers to continue serving.
It is unclear if this order will contain exceptions for those transgender servicemembers already in uniform who had joined the military under previous policies; Equality California will continue to consult with our legal and national partners regarding these details."
In 2017, Equality California filed a suit in the U.S. District Court on behalf of three California plaintiffs who challenged the constitutionality of Trump's first transgender military ban. We were joined in those efforts by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), then-California Attorney General Hon. Xavier Becerra, and Latham & Watkins LLP. Similar challenges were filed across the country, and federal courts issued injunctions to prevent the ban from taking effect.
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Equality California is the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org