Statement by NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON – By granting the Trump Administration’s request to allow it to bar most transgender people from serving in the military, the Supreme Court has taken another step away from judicial fairness, and towards political vendettas.

Donald Trump launched this hate campaign in a series of tweets in July 2017, abruptly declaring that “the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. military.”   This came as news to the Pentagon, and Donald Trump’s government once again had to catch up to his personal vitriol and discriminatory agenda.

Now, the Supreme Court has taken a place on Donald Trump’s team of enablers.  Transgender military service members have proved themselves to be dedicated, productive, patriotic individuals who deserve the nation’s honor and respect. Instead, the Court has sanctioned continued discrimination and persecution.

The ruling does not automatically mean that transgender people already serving openly in the military will be discharged, but those who seek to transition or serve openly in the future risk removal from service. This sends a terrible message to transgender people who choose to serve in dangerous, difficult jobs in the military because they believe in their country and believe in their mission.

NOW calls on military commanders not to remove these brave people from service, and for Congress to act forcefully to put a stop to this discriminatory and unconstitutional policy.

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NOW Press, press@now.org, 202-628-8669