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IAVA Reiterates Opposition to Trump’s Transgender Ban in Military

 

New York, NY (August 25, 2017) — Today, President Trump formalized his policy, previously announced on Twitter, to ban transgender people joining the military in addition to other restrictions on care for transgender troops. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the leading voice of Post-9/11 veterans, swiftly opposed this decision when first announced which is line with IAVA’s platform on promoting equality for all troops and veterans in our Policy Agenda. Following is a statement on today’s action by the President from IAVA’s Executive Director, Allison Jaslow:

“The President’s irresponsible policy decision to ban transgender citizens from serving in the military is not just contrary to American values, it’s bad for national security.  In an era when so few people step up to serve, and just days after we are told more troops are needed to fight in Afghanistan, no American who is willing and able to wear the uniform should be turned away.

“IAVA maintains our strong opposition to this reckless policy, and our equally strong support for our troops, whose Commander in Chief just turned his back on them.  No man or woman in uniform should have to choose between service to their country and love for themselves, but this is no doubt a decision some are now faced with.

“To America’s transgender troops: IAVA has your back.”

IAVA’s July 26 statement on President Trump’s intent to ban transgender troops can be found below and here.

“This is backward, harmful and contrary to American values. It’s also bad for national security. Thousands of transgender troops are serving in our military right now. An unknown number are in combat zones today. This shocking statement undermines an unknown number of active duty troops, who have just been told by their Commander-in-Chief that they are banned from serving. In an era when so few people step up to serve, no American who is willing and able to wear the uniform should be turned away. Equality is a force-multiplier for our military,” said Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA CEO and Founder.

“Don’t believe the spin or scare-mongering. Diversity makes our national security stronger and the facts back it up. Studies have confirmed that transgender troops are not only serving, but that their open service does nothing to harm readiness,” continued Rieckhoff.

IAVA stands in support of our transgender troops and veterans–and in support of equality always. As a next-generation veteran empowerment, advocacy and support organization, IAVA is proud of its record of standing, often alone, on the right side of equality issues. We’ve fought for historic change within the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Defense (DoD). IAVA supported the June 2016 announcement by DoD to allow transgender troops to serve openly without threat of discharge, and has called for an expansion of rights and services for LGBT troops, veterans and their families. IAVA was also the only national Veteran Service Organization to support the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). Similarly, IAVA led the veteran community in endorsing the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

IAVA will continue fighting to ensure that our nation maintains the best and most qualified force possible and that all veterans are properly honored by our nation and served by the VA. IAVA’s platform on promoting equality for all troops and veterans can be found on page 67 of our Policy Agenda here.

In addition to IAVA, numerous veterans and military leaders have come out against the President’s decision, including Senator and Post-9/11 veteran Joni Ernst, Senator John McCain, Former Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Senator and Iraq War Veteran Tammy Duckworth.

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