For Immediate Release

Contact: Amy Couch, acouch@americanhumanist.org, 202-238-9088

 

(Washington, D.C., July 26th 2017)—Leaders at the American Humanist Association expressed their strong disapproval of President Trump’s banning transgender individuals from military service. “President Trump is dragging America backward with his attacks on transgender patriots in the military,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association.

President Trump announced the ban on Twitter stating: “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. 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.”

“Acceptance of transgender service as well as full health care support for military, veterans, and even inmates for full sexual reassignment is the best path forward for a strong, ethical military force,” said Jason Torpy, president of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers. “Opposing open service for all harms military readiness and deeply insults already-serving transgender patriots in the military.” 

 

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Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other non-religious Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming philosophy of humanism, which—without beliefs in any gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.