Tag: Military

Trump Chokes America with Teargas and the Asphyxiation of our Rights

June 1, 2020

All the while weaponizing the Bible WE CANNOT BE SILENT: At the White House:  African Human Rights Coalition condemns in the strongest terms the unconscionable behavior of Donald J. Trump, and his Republican Party today. He lashed out attacking the American people by stripping them of their basic constitutional rights, with the use of force, … More Trump Chokes America with Teargas and the Asphyxiation of our Rights

LGBTQ Military Updates

September 5, 2019

This from The Modern Military Association of America: The voice of the LGBTQ military and veteran community: “Your own actions…do not reflect the action of your words”  – A transgender Naval officer had a sharp response to former Secretary Mattis’ recent Wall Street Journal essay.  Find out why he found it “well written, true, piercing and full of hypocrisy.” … More LGBTQ Military Updates

Palm Center Corrects Misleading NPR Story on Trump Transgender Ban

April 12, 2019

Story Describes New Policy Incorrectly; Wrongly Calls Americans “Divided” on the Issue, Understating Transgender Support SAN FRANCISCO, CA – An NPR story about the Trump transgender military ban which went into effect today described a key element of the policy incorrectly, and failed to use methodologically rigorous polling, resulting in understating the level of American and military … More Palm Center Corrects Misleading NPR Story on Trump Transgender Ban

Trump’s Transgender Ban is Revenge Politics at its worst – a host of hate in leadership!

April 12, 2019

The President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, has spewed failed Republican leadership with antics and political policies that are embroiled in revenge against the Democrats. Is that the way a good leader runs a country and expresses himself globally? In playing his revenge game Trump has worked avidly to rob children of family, … More Trump’s Transgender Ban is Revenge Politics at its worst – a host of hate in leadership!

41 Retired Generals and Admirals Call Trump Transgender Ban an Abuse of Military Judgment

February 26, 2019

Flag Officers Cite “Grave Concern” Over Damage to Military Integrity SAN FRANCISCO, CA – More than three dozen retired flag officers released a statement today calling the Trump administration’s use of “military judgment” to defend its transgender troop ban a “pretext [that] risks inflicting harms that go well beyond” the transgender service issue. The military leaders, … More 41 Retired Generals and Admirals Call Trump Transgender Ban an Abuse of Military Judgment

Trump Loses in 9th Circuit on Transgender Service Ban

July 18, 2018

On Wednesday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Trump administration’s appeal of an injunction blocking it from moving forward with its attempts to ban transgender people from serving in the U.S. military. The original injunction was issued in December 2017 by U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman, of the Western District of Washington, … More Trump Loses in 9th Circuit on Transgender Service Ban

Open Transgender Service: Military Leadership Agree Inclusive Policy Works

June 29, 2018

On Two Year Anniversary of Open Transgender Service, Consensus from Military Leadership that Inclusive Policy Works – SAN FRANCISCO, CA– Tomorrow, June 30th marks two years since the U.S. military officially began allowing transgender individuals to serve openly in its ranks. Those service members have compiled a record of distinction and earned consistent support from the highest ranks … More Open Transgender Service: Military Leadership Agree Inclusive Policy Works

Short Memo on Trump Transgender Military Ban by Palm Center

March 27, 2018

Offers Expert Analysis of Meaning of Latest DOD Announcement  SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Palm Center today released the below short memo describing the impact and status of the Trump administration’s ban on transgender service members. “Breaking Down the March 23, 2018 Transgender Military Ban” outlines what the Pentagon and White House released on Friday; explains … More Short Memo on Trump Transgender Military Ban by Palm Center

Trump Pence Trans Military Ban is as UnAmerican as a Commander-in-Chief or anyone can get!

March 24, 2018

Imagine an American Commander in Chief turning on American soldiers? That is what Donald Trump did as he sneaks the implementation of his Ban on Transgender people serving in the Military, just yesterday. The White House on Friday announced a policy to ban most transgender people from serving in the US military. Following a Pentagon … More Trump Pence Trans Military Ban is as UnAmerican as a Commander-in-Chief or anyone can get!

Pentagon Document Proves Justice Department Misinformed Federal Court about Transgender Ban

December 20, 2017

SAN FRANCISCO, CA –​ A Pentagon memo​ proves that the Justice Department misled a federal court by claiming that the military is unprepared to accept transgender applicants on January 1st. The memo, whose subject is “Transgender Applicant Processing,” consists of a simple set of instructions for processing applications, and was distributed to commanders on December … More Pentagon Document Proves Justice Department Misinformed Federal Court about Transgender Ban

TLDEF Applauds Federal Court Blocking Enforcement of Trump Admin’s Transgender Military Ban

October 30, 2017

New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund applauds news that a federal court in the District of Columbia has blocked enforcement of the Trump Administration’s transgender military ban. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issued a preliminary injunction today. Earlier this month TLDEF filed an amicus or “friend of the court” brief with the federal court in Washington, D.C. … More TLDEF Applauds Federal Court Blocking Enforcement of Trump Admin’s Transgender Military Ban

Judge Blocks Trump Transgender Military Ban

October 30, 2017

Yet another Donald Trump  Executive Order is failing miserably: CNN is reporting that a  federal judge in Washington blocked the Trump administration Monday from enforcing parts of its transgender military ban. Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly held that the plaintiffs: “have established that they will be injured by these directives, due both to the inherent inequality they … More Judge Blocks Trump Transgender Military Ban

TLDEF Files Brief Supporting Transgender Servicemembers’ Challenge to Trump Military Ban

October 17, 2017

TLDEF Files Brief in Support of Transgender Servicemembers Challenging Trump Administration’s Military Ban New York, NY- Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund has filed an amicus or “friend of the court” brief with the United States federal court in Washington, D.C. in support of transgender troops who are challenging the ban on open transgender military service. Last July, … More TLDEF Files Brief Supporting Transgender Servicemembers’ Challenge to Trump Military Ban

Transgender Military Couple Serve in Stark Contrast to Trump

September 22, 2017

Transgender Military Couple Serve in Stark Contrast to Trump: Tacitly speaking to his inability to serve as Commander in Chief without uttering one word to that effect! Just by virtue of who they are and what they have done, this transgender military couple, Logan and Laila Ireland, slam the United States President and Commander in … More Transgender Military Couple Serve in Stark Contrast to Trump

Trump Levels Unprecedented Attack Against Transgender Troops

August 25, 2017

Donald Trump on Friday formally ordered the Department of Defense to reverse a 2016 order allowing transgender individuals to serve openly in the military. The formal policy document comes a month after Trump surprised the Pentagon when he announced in a series of July 26 tweets that he would reverse the Obama-era policy change. The … More Trump Levels Unprecedented Attack Against Transgender Troops

Reported Ban on Transgender Military Health Care and Deployment Condemned

August 24, 2017

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund Condemns Reported Ban on Transgender Military Health Care and Deployment New York, NY – Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund today responded to reports that the White House is forwarding guidance to military officials that directs Defense Secretary James Mattis to implement policy within six months to cease all … More Reported Ban on Transgender Military Health Care and Deployment Condemned

California Legislative LGBT Caucus Introduces Resolution to Prevent Discrimination Against Transgender Service Members

August 22, 2017

SACRAMENTO — On behalf of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus, Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley), introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 22 today condemning President Trump’s announcement that he will ban transgender individuals from serving in the military and directing the California military to not discriminate against transgender service members. “Trump’s decision to ban transgender people from … More California Legislative LGBT Caucus Introduces Resolution to Prevent Discrimination Against Transgender Service Members

Retired Generals Urge Mattis Not to Reinstate ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ for Transgender Troops

June 7, 2017

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In response to recent news reports that the Defense Department may reinstate “don’t ask, don’t tell” for transgender individuals because of resistance by some military leaders and social conservatives, three retired General Officers issued the following statement urging  United States Secretary of Defense James Mattis not to reinstate the discriminatory policy: “Anonymous sources … More Retired Generals Urge Mattis Not to Reinstate ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ for Transgender Troops

  The Nation Opposes Military Intervention in Syria

April 7, 2017

Decries media watchdogs who become lapdogs in the face of manufactured displays of might. “Conflicts will stop only when the people who live in these many countries, and the powers that fuel the proxy wars, decide the violence must end,” says Nation editor and publisher Katrina vanden Heuvel “The United States can’t create peace by military force. … More   The Nation Opposes Military Intervention in Syria

Pentagon Ends Discriminatory Ban on Open Transgender Military Service

June 30, 2016

New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) today joins advocates across the nation in praising the U.S. Department of Defense for lifting the ban on open transgender military service once and for all. “Effective immediately, service members may no longer be involuntarily separated, discharged or denied reenlistment solely on the … More Pentagon Ends Discriminatory Ban on Open Transgender Military Service

Navy Secretary Calls on Gays and Lesbian Vets to Have Military Records Corrected

June 10, 2016

The Pentagon held its fifth annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride ceremony Wednesday. The Washington Examiner reports,  Navy Secretary Ray Mabus called on gay and lesbian veterans who received a less-than-honorable discharge under the old ban on gays serving openly in the military to have their records corrected to reflect they served honorably. … More Navy Secretary Calls on Gays and Lesbian Vets to Have Military Records Corrected

Responses to Reports that Pentagon is Moving to End Ban on Open Transgender Military Service

July 13, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 13, 2015 New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) today responded to reports that Pentagon leaders are poised to end the ban on open transgender military service. The Associated Press reports that the the Pentagon is set to make a formal announcement this week that … More Responses to Reports that Pentagon is Moving to End Ban on Open Transgender Military Service

Groundbreaking AMA Resolution No Medically Valid Reason for Military’s Transgender Ban

June 8, 2015

Groundbreaking Resolution Reflects Consensus that Policy is Outdated While Dismissing Military’s Rationale for Transgender Exclusion By Melanie Nathan,  June 09, 2015. The American Medical Association (AMA), the nation’s oldest and largest physicians group with nearly 220,000 members, made history today by passing a resolution declaring that “there is no medically valid reason to exclude transgender … More Groundbreaking AMA Resolution No Medically Valid Reason for Military’s Transgender Ban

TLDEF Applauds EEOC Ruling Affirming Right to Bathroom Access For Transgender People

April 9, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, April 09, 2015. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) strongly commends a ruling by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) which found that the Army discriminated against a transgender civilian employee when it required her to use a single-user restroom at work and reprimanded her for using the women’s restroom when … More TLDEF Applauds EEOC Ruling Affirming Right to Bathroom Access For Transgender People

Transgender Troops | Military Experts Historic International Conference

October 20, 2014

Palm Center and ACLU Host Convening on Lessons Learned from Transgender Service in Foreign Militaries Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 20, 2014. WASHINGTON, DC – Currently serving ​transgender service members from five of the 18 foreign militaries that allow transgender service today gathered alongside U.S. service members in Washington D.C. The gathering, Perspectives on Transgender Military Service … More Transgender Troops | Military Experts Historic International Conference

The Tale of Two Feds | Transgender and The Department of Defense

May 15, 2014

You might be thinking that hearts and minds have transformed. Society might have evolved on gender identity, but not the military’s old guard. By L.S. Kove, May 15, 2014. The Department of Defense (DoD) is different than the rest of the federal government. Not only is it large enough to swallow the rest whole, but … More The Tale of Two Feds | Transgender and The Department of Defense

Overlooked Veterans will now be honored by President Obama

February 21, 2014

Things we love to hear about Melanie Nathan, Feb 21, 2014., President Obama will correct a historical act of discrimination next month when he awards the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest commendation for combat valor, to 19 Hispanic, Jewish and African-American veterans overlooked previously because of their racial or ethnic backgrounds. The unusual presentation … More Overlooked Veterans will now be honored by President Obama

The Importance of the Military in the Struggle for Equality and Another “Duh” Moment

September 5, 2013

“If anything this should be a wake-up call to our President and to Congress to act in like, to go even further. ….our goal of Full Federal Equality” By Jennifer McGuire, September 05, 2013. It was announced yesterday that spouses of Lesbian and Gay veterans will be eligible for benefits.  In the recent stream of … More The Importance of the Military in the Struggle for Equality and Another “Duh” Moment

Oh no not another anti-gay pastor hosted by President Obama

April 30, 2013

National Day of Prayer to be headed by pastor who thinks marriage equality is a Satanic ploy… By Cathy Kristofferson, April 30, 2013 President Obama just,  just!, held a press conference where he remarked that “the LGBT community deserves full equality, not just partial equality, not just tolerance, but a recognition that they’re fully a … More Oh no not another anti-gay pastor hosted by President Obama

While this US Secretary of Defense offers Moving Pride Message, Imagine a Romney DOD

June 16, 2012

Can you imagine Romney’s  Secretary of  Defense recognizing June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Month?  Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta thanks gay and lesbian service members for their dedicated service to the nation. By Melanie Nathan, June 16,2012. The US Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, sent a special message to America and the World. … More While this US Secretary of Defense offers Moving Pride Message, Imagine a Romney DOD