Breaking Down Trump's Transgender Ban | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

Breaking Down Trump's Transgender Ban

"I understand the military. I know the military."

93
Breaking Down Trump's Transgender Ban
The Nation

On June 12, 2016, an entire country was left grieving after a shooter opened fire in a gay nightclub in Orlando. In the Pulse attack, the bloodiest mass shooting in American history, 49 were killed and 58 others were injured. Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, took to Twitter that day to congratulate himself.

Rather than immediately condemn the attack and condole with the victims’ loved ones, he first sought to make a statement on his ‘predictive’ capabilities. In an offensive and ignorant act, consistent with the pattern of disrespect he has shown to the LGBTQ community, he elicited a firestorm of responses from both Republicans and Democrats. Throughout the subsequent primary debates, he attempted to salvage LGBTQ support through a host of shallow comments and tepid concessions. However, following the November election, the curtain fell on Trump’s pretentious pursuit of voter support. His true colors are as clear as day.

His campaign promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act would take away coverage from millions of LGBTQ people, greatly reduce funding for HIV and AIDS care and make it difficult to obtain transition-related care and inclusive STD testing. It would make mandatory Medicaid benefits for LGBTQ citizens optional and would dismantle financial protections for LGBTQ people living with chronic and costly conditions. In addition, Trump signed the religious liberties executive order, allowing people to be refused a job or service simply because of their sexuality or gender identity.

Recently, the Department of Justice under Trump reinterpreted Title VII in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, declaring that discrimination against gays is legal under federal law. All content on LGBTQ civil rights was removed from the official whitehouse.gov website. The federal lawsuit over North Carolina’s state prohibition on LGBTQ equality was dropped. Trump has revoked protections for transgender students, appointed openly anti-gay officials and conversion therapy advocates to high offices and threatened to reverse the Supreme Court marriage equality ruling.

And this is just the beginning.

On July 26, 2017, President Trump tweeted this:

“After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you.”

Let’s break this down.

First of all, President Trump proclaimed that he had been consulted with generals and military experts. His tweet arrived spontaneously without any formal confirmation from the Department of Defense, statistical or factual information, or anything that indicated a formal policy change. Defense Secretary James Mattis had suspended the study of transgenders in the military for an additional six months, yet Trump ignored this. Press Secretary Sanders and media correspondents had no answers and beckoned for the president to explain himself. Many congressional members were appalled by the announcement. Officials from the Pentagon were left in limbo after Trump’s first tweet, bracing themselves to receive a notice for strikes on North Korea or other decisive military action. According to CNN, the joint chiefs of staff were left in the dark. The army chief of staff, the vice admiral overseeing Navy personnel and military generals were blindsided and announced that no actions would be taken until further clarification was received from the president. This was a sloppy and impulse action taken by the commander in chief.

Second of all, President Trump mentioned “tremendous medical costs.” Only several thousand out of the 1.3 million in the United States’ armed forces are openly transgender. This is an infinitesimal percentage and the corresponding costs are negligible. Per a 2016 study by the RAND Corporation, transgender people serving openly “have minimal impact on readiness and health care costs.” The study reported that all medical costs for transgenders in the armed forces take up only 0.13% of the national military budget. These costs represent a microscopic portion of the 6.4 billion dollars spent annually. In fact, the military spends 10 times this amount on erectile dysfunction medication. The study also included research conducted in other countries about transgenders in the military and stated that allowing them to serve has “little or no impact on unit cohesion, operational effectiveness or readiness.” Transgender people have always been an integral part of the armed forces, and nothing has changed to substantiate a claim against that.

Transgender military members from the past and present have chimed in with their responses. Staff Sergeant Logan Ireland said, “You are not going to deny me my right to serve my country when I am fully qualified and able and willing to give my life.” Another exclaimed, “I have never described myself as trans; I’m a motherf*****g Marine, that’s all that matters. Don’t tarnish my title with your bigotry and fear of the unknown.” Retired Navy SEAL Kristin Beck said, “Let’s meet face to face and you tell me I’m not worthy. We are liberty’s light. If you can’t defend that for everyone that’s an American citizen, that’s not right.” Beck served for 20 years in the Navy SEAL teams. She served 13 tours, earning a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. She is what keeps this country safe.

Mr. President, you cannot use hate to define bravery.

Citizens who put their country before their lives, who pay the ultimate price for others to be free, are the backbone of the United States. Regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, or gender identity, those who choose to submit themselves to the challenges of serving this nation are the most honorable, heroic and devoutly selfless members of our society. They are the ones who protect us, not bigoted policies initiated for political party support. By trying to entertain your congressional base, you are taking advantage of one of the most disadvantaged groups in the country. You have not made the road easy for them, but they persist every day through unimaginable hardships. Transgender people endure a uniquely high risk of depression and other psychological issues just to live as themselves, to forge ahead in a world full of blind hate, disgust and division. In your bid to expand the military to increase protection, you are depriving our armed forces of many thousands of the most resolute and fearless people in our country.

There are thousands upon thousands of transgender citizens who are currently enlisted, are enrolled in basic military training and are dreaming of one day serving their country. Yet they are currently staring at the face of a country that won’t meet their gaze. In a nation that prides itself on the equality of all, you triumphantly declared them unequal. So stop using easily disproven cost motives and ‘gender dysphoria’ explanations to justify your hate. The only “disruption” I see here is your unwillingness to accept those different from you. In a personal and dictatorial decision to act independently of many military heads, you defined bravery.

To me, the real definition of bravery constitutes love. An unconditional love for one’s nation and the diversity of its people. A love for those who are willing to fight and bleed and even die alongside you. A love for the undying liberties that govern this nation through thick and thin. I don’t care who you are or where you are from or to whom you are attracted. If you possess so powerful a love that you are willing to put your life on the line to keep others free, you are fit to serve. If you are willing and able to bear the demands of intense discipline, you are fit to serve. If you possess the grit and courage to persevere in the face of danger, you are fit to serve. If you are emboldened by injustice in the world, you are fit to serve.

To all transgender soldiers who have fought and are fighting for our freedoms: the rest of the nation stands with you. We salute you.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

181472
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

8367
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

453301
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23800
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments