Defense Secretary urged to lift ban on transgender service members

WASHINGTON, DC, May 18, 2015 — In observance of Armed Forces Day, the National LGBTQ Task Force released the following statement:

“As we mark Armed Forces Day this month, we reflect on the significant advances in eliminating discrimination within the military—from racial integration to the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.’ Yet despite these important steps toward ending discrimination, transgender people are denied the opportunity to serve their nation in the armed forces. Report after report shows that this ban should be repealed immediately — especially as transgender people are twice as likely to serve in the military than the general population. We urge Defense Secretary Carter to seize the moment and lift this unnecessary ban immediately,” said Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force.

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CONTACT:
Jorge Amaro
Media and Public Relations Director
213-842-7564
jamaro@thetaskforce.org