Most Americans support trans people serving in the military

22nd June 2019

Ted Eytan via Flickr

Earlier this year, trans people were banned from serving in the military.

Despite President Tr*mp having banned them from serving, a poll carried out by Gallup has found that most Americans actually support trans people serving in the military.

The research was carried out from 15-30 May and asked people of different political backgrounds, ages and military service.

Unsurprisingly, Democrats were much more likely to support trans people serving in the military with 88% of them in support. This result was more than double the amount of Republicans in favour, with only 43% supporting them. Independents were more likely to agree with the Democrats, with 78% in support.

Women were more likely (79%) to support trans people in the military than men (64), and the age group 18-29 were the most supportive (84%) with people aged over 50 being the least supportive (66%).

However, people who had served in the military were less supportive than those who hadn’t. Only 56% of military veterans supported trans people serving when compared to 73% of non-veterans.

Funding for the ban was blocked earlier this week by the House of Representatives. Representative Anthony Brown, a Democrat from Maryland who once served in the U.S. army, delivered a passionate speech on Tuesday (18 June) in which he championed for the trans community to rightfully serve their country.

“The President and his administration wrongfully argue that it’s about military readiness and unit cohesion, but these arguments are the same ones that were made to keep the military racially segregated,” he said during the debate.

“My service in an integrated armed forces did not harm readiness, and neither does the service of the more than 14,000 transgender soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. Transgender service members increase lethality, readiness.”

He continued: “They have served honorably and have received prestigious commendations.”

Michael Vadon via Flickr

The President of the United States first took to Twitter in 2017 to announce that anyone who identifies as trans will no longer be allowed to serve their country, citing “tremendous medical costs” and “disruption” by trans individuals.

“After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the US Military,” he wrote.

“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. Thank you.”

The policy went into effect earlier this year after being accepted by the Supreme Court.

The conservative majority court voted in favour 5-4, with four liberal judges on the court opposing the policy. Although the decision is temporary, this means that the Trump administration will be able to enforce the ban while the case proceeds.

“There is simply no way to spin it, the Trump-Pence Administration is going all in on its discriminatory, unconstitutional and despicable ban on transgender troops,” said HRC president Chad Griffin after the ruling.

Senior staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union LGBT & HIV Project, Joshua Block, slammed the policy and said it “effectively coerces transgender people who wish to serve into choosing between their humanity and their country, and makes it clear that transgender service members are not welcome.”