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Pelosi Statement on Transgender Equality in the Military

June 30, 2016

Contact: Drew Hammill/Caroline Behringer, 202-226-7616

San Francisco – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today issued the following statement after the Department of Defense lifted the ban on open service by transgender individuals in the military. On June 10, Leader Pelosi sent a letter to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter reiterating her call for an end to the ban.

“Today, the Department of Defense affirmed that courageous service members should not be denied the opportunity to serve in the Armed Forces simply because they are transgender.

“As I wrote in a letter to Secretary Carter earlier this month, ‘the historic repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in 2010 showed that we have only strengthened our military by honoring our values of freedom and equality.’ Lifting the ban on transgender Americans serving in uniform is an issue of fundamental fairness. No longer will transgender people in uniform suffer the injustice of being forced to leave the service because of who they are or their gender identity.

“Our military is leading the nation in welcoming the strength and humanity of transgender Americans. As some states pass laws that stand against the tide of history, Congress must act to pass the Equality Act to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the historic Civil Rights Act that guards our democracy. Let us strive to ensure that discrimination has no place in our country.”

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Issues:LGBTQ+