We Must Understand The Impact Of President Trump's Bigoted Transgender Servicemember Ban On Our Armed Forces

Press Release

This week, Army Veteran and House Armed Services Committee Vice-Chair Congressman Anthony Brown (MD-4) introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would require the Pentagon to report on individuals affected by the Trump administration's ban on transgender Americans serving in the military, thus helping track and quantify the costs of exclusionary policy. According to the Service Chiefs of the Armed Forces, the military is still experiencing recruitment and retention challenges. They have also stated that, prior to the reinstatement of President Trump's ban, inclusive policy did not harm readiness. Congressman Brown's amendment was adopted unanimously.

"Dozens of high-ranking military officials and a majority of Americans agree: transgender servicemembers enhance readiness, make great contributions to our Armed Forces, and should be allowed to serve openly in our military," said Congressman Anthony Brown. "Anyone who is capable of serving our country honorably should be afforded the opportunity to do so, and definitively knowing the number of people who are denied this opportunity because of the President's bigoted ban is critical understanding it's impact on our national security."

According to The Palm Center, American's consistently support equal opportunity, and multiple polls have found that around two thirds of the public supports inclusive transgender service.

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