Prohibiting Discrimination in the Military

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. JACOBS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind this body of the incredible damage inflicted by the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

For 17 years, it was the official Federal policy to discriminate against LGBTQ+ servicemembers and prevent them from living authentically or risk being discharged.

This policy wasn't only hateful and isolating, it weakened our military and failed to live up to our values.

Today marks 13 years since we repealed this hateful policy, and we won't go back. We won't go back to Don't Ask, Don't Tell or the possibility of a trans service ban with the stroke of a pen or a tweet.

Countless queer people serve our country bravely, they serve our country proudly, they serve our country honorably, and they should serve our country authentically, too.

That is why we need to pass my Ensuring Military Readiness Not Discrimination Act to prohibit discrimination in the military and protect trans servicemembers.

Our servicemembers sacrifice so much for us. They shouldn't have to sacrifice who they are.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source