Early July 26, 2017, President Donald Trump issued a tweet signaling his intent to reverse existing policy allowing transgender individuals to serve openly in the US Military. Citing no evidence, the announcement focused on the supposed “tremendous medical costs and disruption” that would follow. GLMA President Jesse Joad, MD, MS, and GLMA Executive Director Hector Vargas, JD, issued the following statement in response:
“With this announcement on military service of transgender individuals, the President continues to demonstrate he is no ally of the LGBT community nor protector of LGBT equality. His announcement fully adopts anti-LGBT rhetoric that is not supported by the prevailing scientific research. The research shows open military service by transgender individuals promotes military readiness and that medical costs associated with open service are negligible.
“The nefarious principle behind the President’s announcement is that a transgender individual is inherently unfit to serve in the US Military. For the past year under the existing policy, transgender individuals have been serving openly in the US Military and have been doing so with honor and distinction. All reports have indicated a smooth roll out of this policy, which has been supported by many respected organizations, including the American Medical Association.
“GLMA condemns this change in policy which is nothing but a thinly veiled attack on transgender service members and the entire LGBT community. We strongly encourage the President and his military advisers to review the evidence thoroughly before taking further action on this discriminatory reversal in policy.”
“With this announcement on military service of transgender individuals, the President continues to demonstrate he is no ally of the LGBT community nor protector of LGBT equality. His announcement fully adopts anti-LGBT rhetoric that is not supported by the prevailing scientific research. The research shows open military service by transgender individuals promotes military readiness and that medical costs associated with open service are negligible.
“The nefarious principle behind the President’s announcement is that a transgender individual is inherently unfit to serve in the US Military. For the past year under the existing policy, transgender individuals have been serving openly in the US Military and have been doing so with honor and distinction. All reports have indicated a smooth roll out of this policy, which has been supported by many respected organizations, including the American Medical Association.
“GLMA condemns this change in policy which is nothing but a thinly veiled attack on transgender service members and the entire LGBT community. We strongly encourage the President and his military advisers to review the evidence thoroughly before taking further action on this discriminatory reversal in policy.”
