WASHINGTON - March 12, 2019 - Today, the Trump-Pence administration took steps to implement its ban on open transgender military service. Implementation processes noted in the directive will officially go into effect in thirty days, just under three years after the current policy, allowing open transgender military service, was implemented. All four service chiefs and 41 retired Generals and Admirals have emphatically denounced the claims this Administration is using to justify the ban.

WASHINGTON - February 12, 2019 - Today, Congressman Joe Kennedy III (D-MA,4) led efforts for a resolution opposing President Trump's ban on openly transgender servicemembers from serving in our nation's military and urging the Department of Defense to not reinstate this discriminatory policy as litigation against the Administration's proposed ban continues. The resolution has 103 cosponsors.

(Washington, D.C., Feb. 5, 2019) – In preparation for President Trump's State of the Union Address, several Members of Congress have chosen to invite actively-serving and veteran transgender service members to attend the event as their honored guests:

(WASHINGTON) August 13, 2018 – Today, OutServe-SLDN issued the following in response to Rep. Jackie Speier's (D-CA 14) amendment to the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, which will be signed today. The Congresswoman's amendment, which at OutServe-SLDN's request was attached to the legislation with bi-partisan support, provides three-million dollars to the Boards of Corrections for Military and Naval Records to increase the number of staff members reviewing applications, to provide for cultural competency training of Board members, and to expand the Board's capacity for review of veterans' applications. Allocation of these funds to these Boards will ensure that they are able to process applications more effectively and more efficiently, providing our veterans with equitable and just relief.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) July 23, 2018 – OutServe-SLDN, the nation's leading organization for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) military and veteran community, opposes the confirmation of Robert Wilkie as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Mr. Wilkie, previously the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness at the Department of Defense (DoD), aided in implementing a ban on open transgender service in the military, a policy that is currently being challenged in the courts by OutServe-SLDN and co-counsel Lambda Legal.

(Alexandria, VA. July 19, 2018) – Today, Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN, along with pro bono counsel from Winston & Strawn LLP, asked a federal court to halt implementation of a new Department of Defense policy resulting in the discharge of service members living with HIV. The motion for a preliminary injunction filed in Harrison v. Mattis-a case challenging the military's discriminatory policies governing the enlistment, deployment, and promotion of service members living with HIV-follows multiple calls from other service members that plaintiffs' attorneys received after his case was filed in May. These service members are being denied significant career advancement opportunities or threatened with discharge due to President Trump's new "Deploy or Get Out!" policy. Left unaddressed, hundreds of service members who are otherwise fit for duty, including named-plaintiff Sgt. Nick Harrison, will be discharged from the military, suffer irrevocable harm to their careers, and lose critical health care and other benefits.

WASHINGTON - March 23, 2018 – Today, the nation's leading lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) military advocates responded to the heinous and continued push from the Trump-Pence Administration to implement their discriminatory transgender military ban. The White House released further details about implementation of the ban today. However, six separate federal courts have blocked implementation of the ban, and barring further court action, the administration cannot implement it. The Pentagon has stated it will continue to comply with court orders blocking the ban.

WASHINGTON - March 25, 2018 – On Friday, the Trump-Pence administration announced an implementation plan for a ban on transgender military service. In response, OutServe-SLDN immediately joined two other leading lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) military advocates in condemning the administration's heinous and continued push to implement a categorical ban on military service that is both unsound and unwarranted. Today, the organization releases a statement that focuses on this plan's ramifications and effect on the legal changes brought against the ban.   

WASHINGTON - February 27, 2018 - Today, the nation's leading lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) military organizations, OutServe-SLDN, the American Military Partner Association, and SPARTA issued statements responding to the news that the first out transgender recruit has signed up to join the U.S. Armed Forces.As first reported by CNN's Ryan Browne yesterday, "The Pentagon confirmed Monday that the first transgender person has signed a contract to join the US military, a development made possible after a federal judge ruled that the military must accept transgender recruits."

(SEATTLE, December 11, 2017) – Today, a federal court in Seattle ordered an immediate halt to the Trump Administration's discriminatory plan to ban transgender people from serving openly in the U.S. Armed Services. The ruling came in the lawsuit brought by Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN challenging the ban and prevents the ban from being implemented while the case proceeds.

(WASHINGTON) October 11, 2017 – Yesterday, OutServe-SLDN joined with 10 other organizations including the Human Rights Campaign, GLAD, NCLR and SAGE in an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in support of Evans v. Georgia Regional Hospital. The brief can be read here.

(SEATTLE, September 14, 2017) – Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN yesterday asked a federal court to halt immediately all steps taken to implement the Trump Administration's discriminatory plan to ban transgender individuals from serving openly in the U.S. Armed Services.

(SEATTLE, August 28, 2017) – Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN today filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Trump administration's ban on military service by transgender individuals. The lawsuit-brought in response to President Trump's formal issuance of directions to military authorities late Friday-was filed on behalf of two individuals who seek to join the military; one current service member who seeks appointment as an officer; the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBT advocacy organization; and Gender Justice League, a gender and sexuality civil and human rights organization, headquartered in Seattle.

(WASHINGTON) August 25, 2017– Breaking faith with top generals and admirals, President Trump's White House has issued guidance to the Department of Defense, which would effectively purge anyone found to be transgender from the armed services. This policy would purge thousands of currently serving transgender troops over the coming months and years by denying them reenlistment; threatening to cut off their healthcare; and would make permanent a ban on recruiting transgender troops that was set to expire later this year.

WASHINGTON, D.C. July 12, 2017 - Tonight, OutServe-SLDN and the American Military Partner Association (AMPA) issued the following statements in response to Rep. Vicky Hartzler's (R-MO) attempts to add an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would rip away medically necessary health care for transgender service members and military dependents. After failing to amend the bill to ban transgender service members during markup before the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Hartzler has proposed a new amendment to the NDAA which would bar access to transition-related health care for military service members and their families. The House Rules Committee is allowing a vote on the amendment tonight.

(WASHINGTON) July 26, 2017 – OutServe-SLDN issued the following statement today, in response to Donald Trump's tweetstorm on open military service by transgender individuals.: "In his latest example of pseudo-policy-by-twitter, Donald Trump has shown blatant disregard for transgender service members who have been serving openly since October 2016. The disruptive burden to the military comes from indecision in a White House which itself is not focused on victory if it's targeting service members. The readiness, effectiveness, and lethality of the Armed Services comes from the commitment of our troops – not the vagaries and bigotry of exclusionary policies.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 13, 2017 - Today, OutServe-SLDN and the American Military Partner Association (AMPA) praised a vote by the U.S. House of Representatives voting down a vicious amendment that would have ripped away medically necessary health care for transgender service members and military dependents. Proposed by Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), the amendment would have barred access to transition-related health care - including critically important care such as hormone therapy - for service members and military family members. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 214 to 209.

(WASHINGTON) June 30, 2017 – OutServe-SLDN, the nation's leading and largest LGBT military & veterans issued the following statement today, in response to the Pentagon's statement, first reported by the Washington Post, that there will be a six-month delay in the enactment of policies allowing qualified, transgender individuals to enter military service.

(WASHINGTON) May 5, 2017 – The nation's oldest and largest LGBT military organization today reacted to the withdrawal of Mark Green to be Army Secretary. Matt Thorn, Executive Director for OutServe-SLDN, issued the following statement announcing the campaign: "Serving as Secretary of the Army is an incredible and vital role to the success of our modern military. Mark Green did not live up to the duty and honor that is expected of an individual serving in such a role. Mr. Green has better served the Army with his withdrawal than he would have as Secretary."

(WASHINGTON) May 2, 2017 – The nation's oldest and largest LGBT military organization today put Army Secretary nominee Mark Green on notice and announced the launch of a citizen filibuster campaign aimed at blocking the nominee from confirmation in the United States Senate. The campaign will be constituent-driven to highlight the concerns and opposition of service members, veterans and their families to Mr. Green's record and confirmation as Army Secretary. Matt Thorn, Executive Director for OutServe-SLDN, issued the following statement announcing the campaign: "Mark Green is now denying, deflecting and distracting from his prior anti-LGBT actions, but his record speaks for itself. The U.S. Army deserves a Secretary who values duty over division and honor over hatred. When it comes to progress at the Pentagon, Mark Green as Secretary of the Army will be a grenade in the tent. Mr. Green's anti-LGBT, anti-Muslim, anti-women record in the Tennessee legislature stands in stark contrast to the American values of justice, fairness and tolerance we all hold dear. He must not be confirmed.<

(WASHINGTON) February 22, 2017 – OutServe-SLDN issued the following statement in response to President Trump's Justice and Education Departments' action today, rescinding guidelines the Obama Administration implemented for transgender students. The statement may be attributed to OutServe-SLDN's Executive Director, Matt Thorn. "Rescission of the Obama Administration's guidelines and protections for transgender students is an appalling and devastating action by the Departments of Justice and Education. This administration, and this President, has vowed to be an ally of the LGBTQ community; yet this action is a direct contradiction to that declaration. The removal of this guidance strikes at the heart of our nation – a nation which should proudly provide an education system that is free of discrimination, protects all our students, and provides a healthy and sustainable environment to learn.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) February 2, 2017 – OutServe-SLDN issued the following statement today in response to the news, first reported by the MilitaryTimes, that President Trump held a listening session on the VA but did not include veteran's advocates. The statement may be attributed to OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Matt Thorn. "Outserve-SLDN was not aware of this meeting until it was mentioned in the press. We are, dismayed, concerned and perplexed that the administration would not invite a broad spectrum of veteran's advocates like OutServe-SLDN or the American Legion or Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, who work day in and day out with veterans, to discuss the concerns and issues with and related to the Veteran's Affairs Department. In order to fix the complicated system, that is the Veteran's Affairs Department, it is critical to have the experts and advocates who work in the space at the table. We will only be successful in caring for and providing vital services to the millions of veterans in this country if we work collaboratively and in tandem. It is also perplexing that this meeting would be held without the confirmed Secretary of Veteran's Affairs Dr. Richard Shulkin who will be tasked with managing and executing any reforms and implementations moving forward. We hope that future meetings are more inclusive and present a diversity of advocates who work with our nation's veterans each and every day."

WASHINGTON - January 12, 2017 -- Today, the nation's leading organizations for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) service members and their families -- the American Military Partner Association (AMPA) and OutServe-SLDN -- issued the following joint statement following comments made by President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, retired General James Mattis, during confirmation hearings this morning. General Mattis indicated he will not work to reverse the current policies that allow any qualified person to serve, including LGBT people.

(WASHINGTON) June 30, 2016 – Today Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced the recommendations from the working group formed last summer on the lifting of the ban on open transgender service. This announcement includes recommendations, plans and timeline to when transgender service members will fully be able to serve openly and authentically.

(Washington, DC - March 10, 2016) – This morning the United States Senate Armed Services Committee backed the nomination of Eric Fanning to be Secretary of the Army on Thursday and forwarded the recommendation to the full Senate for a final vote.

(Washington, DC - February 1, 2016) – According to the Military Times report "the Pentagon is poised to make significant changes to its mental health benefits for troops, families and retirees, to include eliminating limits on inpatient services and allowing Tricare to cover hormone therapy for transgender individuals. The Defense Department will propose several changes to mental health services to better align the military health program with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act."

(Washington, DC - December 4, 2015) - Statement by Matt Thorn, Interim Executive Director of OutServe-SLDN on recent remarks about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people serving in the United States Military by Senator Ted Cruz:

(Washington, D.C. - Decmber 6, 2015) - Statement by Matt Thorn, Interim Executive Director, concerning Ben Carson's recent remarks about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members. Ben Carson is a candidate for the Republican Party's Presidential nomination:

(Washington, DC, September 18, 2015) - Statement by Matt Thorn, Interim Executive Director of OutServe-SLDN on Eric Fanning being nominated by President Barack Obama as the next Secretary of the Army.

(Washington, DC) - September 21, 2015 - Statement by Matt Thorn, Interim Executive Director of OutServe-SLDN on Governor Mike Huckabee's statement on Secretary of Army nominee Eric Fanning.

(Washington, DC - July 15, 2015) Today, United States Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Charles Rangel (D-NY) joined by United States Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) will introduce the Restore Honor to Service Members Act. This legislation is being introduced to help service members discharged for no other reason than their sexual orientation correct their military record to reflect their honorable service.

(Washington, DC - June 30, 2015) This is a developing story. Today, Jason White and his fiancé Jonathan Means are planning to obtain a marriage license from the San Saba County Clerk in Texas. However, the clerk, Kim Wells has indicated that she will deny their application for a marriage license presumably based on Attorney General Ken Paxton's nonbinding opinion that clerks may claim religious exemptions in performing marriages for same-sex couples. The Texas Department of Vital Statistics has updated the forms necessary to issue marriage licenses to same-sex partners and therefore there is no justifiable basis for the denial of marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

WASHINGTON (June 26, 2015) – OutServe-SLDN Interim Executive Director Matt Thorn issued the following statement in response to today's Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which will require states to license a marriage between two people of the same sex:"Today, our community was told by the Supreme Court of the United States that you are an American, and a citizen of the United States. Your relationship, your marriage and your family matters to our community as a country and must be respected and treated fairly under the law.

(Washington, DC - June 29, 2015) Moments ago the Veterans Affairs Department announced that same-sex couples in states across the country will now have access to previously denied benefits following the Supreme Court's landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision that granted marriage equality in all 50 states.

WASHINGTON (June 15, 2015) – Today presidential candidate and former Governor Jeb Bush stated that he was open to transgender military service.

(WASHINGTON - March 25, 2015) – Statement by Matt Thorn, Interim Executive Director of OutServe-SLDN on the reintroduction of the Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act in the U.S. House of Representatives this morning by Representative Dina Titus (1st District NV):

(WASHINGTON) March 3, 2015 – OutServe-SLDN today will file a joint amicus brief in the crucial marriage equality case being brought before the Supreme Court this spring.