Everyone Should Be Welcome to Serve Their Country

I will admit to at times being uncomfortable when the subject matter has to do with issues involving the transgender community but that’s likely more on me than anything else.

However I’m not uncomfortable in saying that all people should have equal rights and the ability to live their lives as they see fit.

With that said President Trump’s surprising announcement Wednesday (via Twitter of course) that he will reinstate a ban on transgender individuals from serving in the military is one I would hope most Americans are vehemently opposed to.

In his tweets Trump said that “after consultation with my Generals and military experts the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the US military.”  He added that “our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.”

There has been disagreement in Washington on whether or not taxpayer money should be used to pay for gender transition and hormone therapy for service members who are transgender. Those arguments had threatened a $790 billion defense and spending package that is to be voted on this week.

Reportedly what Trump called “tremendous medical costs” is in the scheme of things a drop in the bucket.

His surprising announcement caught many of his own staffers off guard and not prepared to answer questions about the fate of those active transgender military members said to be anywhere from 1,300 to 16,000.  It was only a year ago that former President Obama ended the ban on openly transgender people from serving in the military through what was to be a gradual review process.

Trump’s actions yesterday pretty much ended that review although many insist there will be a bitter fight even from those in his own party.  He also went against his own promises during the campaign to protect transgender rights.

Anyone who is fit to serve and willing to defend this country should not only be allowed in the military but welcomed with open arms.  Unfortunately our Commander-in-Chief does not feel that way.