FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Cathy Renna, Communications Director, [email protected], 917-757-6123
STATEMENT FOLLOWING VOTE ON NDAA
ATTRIBUTE TO ALLEN MORRIS, POLICY DIRECTOR, NATIONAL LGBTQ TASK FORCE
“We are deeply disappointed with the recent House passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). LGBTQ Organizations and advocates have consistently pushed back on anti-LGBTQ amendments or riders and expressed our concerns about our trans siblings being used as leverage for political purposes at the expense of their health, safety and rights.
Any provision that restricts bodily autonomy and access to healthcare is an attack on transgender individuals rather than addressing broader issues within the defense bill. It is particularly disheartening to see so many lawmakers who have previously expressed support for the LGBTQ community supporting legislation that includes such discriminatory provisions.
We understand that many decisions are influenced by the broader political climate and anti-trans rhetoric being employed by prominent leaders. For us, such actions contribute to a hostile environment for transgender individuals and divert attention from pressing defense-related concerns, such as protections and access to healthcare for LGBTQ active-duty personnel.
As this bill stands, it doesn’t support us, and we implore President Biden to veto the bill and send it back to Congress to remove all hateful and discriminatory language. Families should not be undermined or used to validate the integrity of defense legislation that traditionally doesn’t include such intent.
Lawmakers must champion LGBTQ rights, hold firm to their commitments, and work towards excising harmful provisions that detract from the core mission of national defense. We’ve been clear lawmakers should not fold to political pressure and continue to HOLD THE LINE FOR LGBTQ LIVES.”