LGBTI organizations and people across the United States are responding to the Supreme Court’s decision on Tuesday (22 January) to lift blocks on Donald Trump’s transgender military ban.
The ruling issued a stay of injuction on two lawsuits blocking the ban.
The ACLU called the decision ‘deeply upsetting’, but clarified the matter is still being decided. In their case, Stone v. Trump, they secured a ‘nationwide block’ on the ban. This case, as stated in the ACLU’s tweet, is currently before a court in Maryland.
It’s deeply upsetting that the Supreme Court lifted blocks on the trans military ban that were secured by two lawsuits while federal courts continue to review.
It did NOT lift the nationwide block secured in our case, Stone v. Trump, which is before a court in Maryland.
— ACLU (@ACLU) January 22, 2019
Regardless of a final decision yet to be made on the matter, numerous organizations and figures are still condemning the Supreme Court’s initial decision.
‘Morally repugnant’
The Los Angeles LGBT Center called the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision ‘wrong-headed and morally repugnant’.
‘The attempt to deny their participation in the military is a policy “fix” in search of a problem. It has no function but to appease the President’s base and further stigmatize and harm people who have only showed the highest degree of character and patriotism. It is behavior that is the very definition of “conduct unbecoming,”‘ the statement continued.
They also warn that though the decision is not final, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority is a sign of decisions to come.
Their statement ended with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.: ‘Just a day after we celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., it is worthwhile to remember his words from Letter from Birmingham Jail: “Justice too long delayed is justice denied.” This injustice cannot and will not stand.’
A ‘slap in the face’
Executive Director Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel of One Iowa also released a statement on the matter.
‘Lifting the injunctions on this discriminatory ban – even temporarily – is a slap in the face of the brave transgender service members and veterans who have served and are serving our country. Anyone who meets military standards should be able to serve, and transgender service members seek only to be evaluated on the same standards as anyone else,’ he said.
‘This ban is based on discrimination, not facts.’
OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Andy Blevins added more comments: ‘For the past two-and-a-half years, thousands of qualified, transgender individuals have made our nation’s armed forces better, in every measurable quality, with their authentic service.
‘We look forward to continuing our representation of these proud and selfless patriots, and reminding this Administration that military policy cannot be defined by baseless and discriminatory rationalizations.’
More figures speaking out
Pose actor Indya Moore also criticized the decision on Twitter. She wrote that despite being anti-war, this has ‘nothing to do’ with her politics.
I am anti war, however- banning trans people from serving in the military has nothing to do with my politics about war & everything to do with trans peoples ability to participate equally to cis het people in all areas of the government.
— IAM (@IndyaMoore) January 22, 2019
More LGBTI figures tweeted out their own thoughts and criticisms.
Would much rather continue tweeting about the #Oscars noms, but unfortunately this overshadows the day for me. Please speak up and show up for trans folk, we need you now more than ever. #TransRightsAreHumanRights https://t.co/D33bqDhIQg
— Trace Lysette (@tracelysette) January 22, 2019
Other allies also tweeted about it.
.@realDonaldTrump’s ban on trans Americans serving in our nation’s military was purpose-built to humiliate brave men & women seeking to serve their country. Deeply concerning that #SCOTUS is allowing his ban to proceed for now. #ProtectTransTroops https://t.co/PgtEJJVHvX
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 22, 2019
1) Are you fucking kidding me?! 2) what other horrible thing is this news a decoy for at the expense of our heroes –
our trans military are heroes like the rest — more so —because they have to deal with this shit from people whose lives & way of life they are protecting. https://t.co/RxlJV3LvCM— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) January 22, 2019
Discrimination has no place in our military or society. It is my hope that this temporary ruling will not be the final outcome. We must stand with trans service members. Trump’s efforts to divide us will not succeed. https://t.co/nOs41Ahir3
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) January 22, 2019
Outrageous. Trans Americans who have put their lives on the line to defend our country will be restricted from military service by this administration. There is no basis for this other than ignorance and cruelty. https://t.co/CXApaZflYJ
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 22, 2019
See also
Trans woman sues Illinois governor’s campaign for discriminating and firing her
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez gives LGBTI-inclusive speech at NYC Women’s March
Transphobic comedian’s domain name now redirects to a trans charity
Author: Anya Crittenton
The post LGBTI groups and celebrities react to Supreme Court’s trans military ruling appeared first on Gay Star News.
