In a historic move in the ongoing march toward equality, the Pentagon announced today that it would lift the ban on military service by transgender Americans.
“I am announcing today that we are ending the ban on transgender Americans in the United States military,” said Ash Carter, Secretary of Defense, in a news conference today, according to The Advocate. “Effective immediately, transgender Americans can serve openly, and they no longer can be discharged or otherwise separated from the military just for being transgender.”
The Secretary of Defense stated three reasons for lifting the ban, according to The Advocate. The first reason is to ensure the future of the nation’s all-volunteer military. He then stated that transgender people are already serving in the military. And finally he said that it is unfair to ask transgender people to lay down their lives for the country they love (but not to allow them to serve openly).
Groups like the LGBT military advocacy group SPARTA and OutServe-SLDN celebrated the news as it was announced today, as did trans, LGB people, and allies all over social media.
Here's a round-up of that celebration!
\u201cFinally #TransIsBeautiful #translivesmatter #transmilitary ban lifted https://t.co/E1LMxshtEr\u201d— Laverne Cox (@Laverne Cox) 1467310358
\u201cAbout 2,500 transgender people are currently serving on active duty and will now be able to do so openly!! https://t.co/jkQjnddd6Q\u201d— igorvolsky (@igorvolsky) 1467312652
\u201cIt's long past time we opened the military to openly transgender people. Glad to see this step toward equality. https://t.co/tHzcOOFGuU\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1467311828
\u201cSo happy. The Pentagon is lifting its ban on transgender people serving in the military. These are historic times, everyone! \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udf08\u201d— Raymond Braun (@Raymond Braun) 1467309091
\u201cBREAKING: @DeptofDefense Ends Ban on Transgender People Serving Openly in the Military https://t.co/wGxPwQHWU2\u201d— Human Rights Campaign (@Human Rights Campaign) 1467315068
\u201cPentagon Will Lift Military Ban on Trans Service Members on July 1 https://t.co/mF2FjxHgcU\u201d— Los Angeles LGBT Center (@Los Angeles LGBT Center) 1467303331
\u201cI commend #SecCarter for lifting ban on transgender military service. Allowing all Americans to serve openly will make our nation stronger.\u201d— Kirsten Gillibrand (@Kirsten Gillibrand) 1467312310
From left: Jena Malone, Jodie Foster, Jay-Z, and Kendall and Kylie Jenner.Featureflash photo Agency/Shutterstock; Tinseltown/Shutterstock; Tinseltown/Shutterstock; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
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