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Democrats protest Trump's transgender troop ban by bringing trans people who served to SOTU
Democrats protest Trump’s transgender troop ban by bringing trans people who served to SOTU
Trump wants to ban transgender people from serving openly in the military. Democrats are protesting the policy.
By German Lopez@germanrlopezgerman.lopez@vox.com Feb 4, 2019, 12:40pm EST
Congressional Democrats are protesting President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender troops by inviting trans people with military experience to the State of the Union on Tuesday.
According to Washington Blade reporter Chris Johnson, at least four members of Congress are taking part in the quiet protests: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is inviting Navy Lieutenant Commander Blake Dremann, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) is inviting Air Force Staff Sergeant Logan Ireland, Rep. Donald McEachin (D-VA) is inviting Navy Petty Officer Second Class Megan Winters, and Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) is inviting Navy veteran Tavion Dignard.
Gillibrand, who’s running for president, tied her invitation to new legislation she plans to introduce to protect trans troops.
“Any transgender American who meets the standards should be able to sign up to join our Armed Forces, and that’s why I’m going to introduce new legislation this week to protect current and future transgender service members,” Gillibrand said in a statement. “I am proud to lead this fight and I urge all of my Senate colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.”
The invitations and call to action come as Trump continues trying to ban transgender people from serving openly in the military. The ban recently won a major victory at the Supreme Court, which struck down some of the injunctions against the ban as legal challenges against the policy proceed in court. But the courts could still ultimately rule against the ban, which would lead to its demise.
more...
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/2/4/18210530/transgender-military-trump-state-of-the-union
