Federal Judge: Pentagon Must Allow Qualified Transgender Americans to Enter the Military

WASHINGTON, DC - November 27, 2017  - Today, the American Military Partner Association (AMPA), the nation's largest organization of LGBT military spouses and their families, responded to a federal judge's ruling that the military must move forward with previous plans to allow transgender individuals to enter the military starting on January 1, 2018. The Trump administration is appealing the decision. The ruling clarifies an earlier decision in the case of Doe v. Trump that blocked President Trump's transgender military ban. The court order can be found here. 

"We're grateful for this judge's decision recognizing the fundamental principle that any qualified American - regardless of their gender identity - should be able to serve the country they love," said AMPA President Ashley Broadway-Mack. "This decision continues to give our military families hope that justice will ultimately prevail."

In June 2016, the Department of Defense told transgender members of the armed forces it was safe to come out and serve openly and authentically, and estimates show there are thousands of transgender individuals currently serving in the military. Implementation of the open service policy involved more than a year of planning.

Transgender service members had to wake up around the world to tweets from their new commander-in-chief shamefully declaring he was reversing the policy and transgender people would not be able to serve in "any capacity." In August, President Trump directed Secretary Mattis to implement the ban and gave him until February 21, 2018, to develop a plan. 

The far majority of Americans disagree with the president and believe transgender people should be allowed to serve. There has been clear bipartisan outrage over the President's attack, including from fifty-six retired generals and admirals who warned that the ban would degrade military readiness. 

There are two federal court injunctions against Trump's transgender military ban. 

AMPA is an organizational plaintiff in another lawsuit challenging Trump's transgender military ban in court. Karnoski v. Trump is brought by Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN on behalf of several transgender individuals, AMPA, the Human Rights Campaign, and Gender Justice League.

The American Military Partner Association (AMPA) is the nation's largest organization of LGBT military spouses, their families, and allies. A non-profit organization with more than 50,000 members and supporters, AMPA is committed to education, advocacy, and support for "modern military families." For more information, visit www.MilitaryPartners.org