Palm Center Statement on Department of Defense LGBT Pride Ceremony

"Awkward" Failure to Address Transgender Ban

WASHINGTON, D.C. June 8, 2016 – Aaron Belkin, director of the Palm Center, released the following statement after attending today's Department of Defense Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride ceremony. 

"It was quite awkward that at an event honoring LGBT Pride month, there was no mention of when or whether the ban on transgender service members will be lifted, or why the Secretary has allowed 77 transgender troops to remain in limbo for almost a year. The Pentagon can only expect more awkward moments if the situation is not resolved soon."

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus delivered a speech about progress that has been made since ending "don't ask, don't tell" at today's event. 

About The Palm Center

The Palm Center is an independent research institute committed to sponsoring state-of-the-art scholarship to enhance the quality of public dialogue about critical and controversial public policy issues. Our research on sexual minorities in the military has been published in leading social scientific journals. The Palm Center seeks to be a resource for university-affiliated as well as independent scholars, students, journalists, opinion leaders, and members of the public. For more information, see www.palmcenter.org