graphic of army helmets with text overlayed: "OutFront Condemns SCOTUS Ruling on Discriminatory Trans Military Ban"

****PRESS RELEASE****

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 22, 2019

CONTACT:

Monica Meyer, Executive Director: mmeyer@outfront.org | 612.817.3480

Jacob Thomas, Communications Coordinator: jacob@outfront.org | 678.899.5608

OutFront Condemns SCOTUS Ruling on Discriminatory Trans Military Ban

This morning the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to allow Trump’s discriminatory ban on transgender military service members to go into effect while further litigation proceeds.

This President continues to show how unpatriotic he truly is and that he does not care about our military members and veterans. Military leaders already know that transgender people serving has no adverse effect on military readiness, morale or unit cohesion. Nevertheless, Trump and his discrimination administration continue to vilify and attack transgender people.

Trump’s despicable and hateful discrimination against transgender people is just par for the course in this Administration. From day one of Trump’s administration, he has attacked and discriminated against LGBTQ people, people of color, immigrants and refugees, our muslim community members and so many others. As an out gay man, Trump’s discriminatory ban is the next generation of serving under discriminatory and hateful policies like Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and now this. With the help of brave service members, veterans and organizers  we won that battle and I am fully confident that — in the end — we will win this too.

OutFront Minnesota’s Communications Coordinator and United States Air Force veteran, Jacob Thomas (Tech. Sgt. | served: 2008-2016)

OutFront Minnesota’s Communications Coordinator and United States Air Force veteran, Jacob Thomas (Tech. Sgt. | served: 2008-2016), released the following statement:

“This President continues to show how unpatriotic he truly is and that he does not care about our military members and veterans. Military leaders already know that transgender people serving has no adverse effect on military readiness, morale or unit cohesion. Nevertheless, Trump and his discrimination administration continue to vilify and attack transgender people.

Trump’s despicable and hateful discrimination against transgender people is just par for the course in this Administration. From day one of Trump’s administration, he has attacked and discriminated against LGBTQ people, people of color, immigrants and refugees, our muslim community members and so many others. As an out gay man, Trump’s discriminatory ban is the next generation of serving under discriminatory and hateful policies like Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and now this. With the help of brave service members, veterans and organizers  we won that battle and I am fully confident that — in the end — we will win this too.”

Today continues an all-out public assault on the LGBTQ community by the Trump/Pence Administration, and we will not let it stand. The Trump Administration has put a target on the backs of the more than 15,000 transgender troops serving in our military with honor and distinction, and the more than 134,000 transgender veterans who are alive today.

While today’s decision is hateful and disappointing, this is not over. Thousands of transgender service members are serving and will continue to serve in the armed forces. Trump’s cruel ban is based on discrimination, not facts. Multiple courts have already recognized this. Lower courts are still litigating this case and today’s SCOTUS ruling is not based on the merits of the case.

Today’s court decision is a glaring reminder that we must elect fair, equality and justice-minded people to all levels of government.

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OutFront Minnesota’s mission is to create a state where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people are free to be who they are, love who they love, and live without fear of violence, harassment or discrimination. For more than 30 years we have led the way toward LGBTQ equity