Caitlyn Jenner condemns Trump transgender military ban

From Digital Spy

Leading LGBTQ activists Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox are among those condemning US president Donald Trump's transgender military ban.

With no prior warning, Trump announced today (July 26) on Twitter, of all places, that he will block all trans people from actively serving in the US military because their medical needs are a "burden".

"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 U.S. Military," Trump tweeted.

"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."

It is not immediately clear how Trump plans to enforce his ban against the thousands of trans men and women currently on active service in the US military.

His executive action nullifies steps taken by the Obama administration last year to allow trans people the right to fight for their country.

Among those condemning Trump's openly-discriminatory decision is Laverne Cox, the trans community activist who stars in Orange is the New Black.

"I have met many transgender Americans over the years who have served or are currently serving our country in the military," she wrote on Instagram. "I have heard from them humiliating stories of being misgendered and experiencing various kinds of mistreatment when they are willing to put their lives on the line in ways many of us would never do including our current President.

"This latest reversal of another Obama administration policy continues to send the message to trans Americans that our lives, our safety and service are less valuable and unwanted in this country, the country I love and hold so dear.

"Let's all come together and send the message to trans Americans that despite what this president and administration proclaims that trans lives, safety and service are valuable, that they matter."

Caitlyn Jenner - a prominent Trump supporter - also came out against the president on Wednesday, and reminded him that he'd promised to "fight for" for the LGBTQ community during last year's campaign.

"There are 15,000 patriotic transgender Americans in the US military fighting for all of us," she wrote. "What happened to your promise to fight for them?"

Below, we present condemnations from other celebrities (warning: NSFW tweets below):

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