President Trump issued a series of tweets Wednesday morning, banning transgender people from serving “in any capacity” in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The President said they instead must focus on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be “burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption” it would cause.
The ban on transgender individuals in the military was lifted in 2016 but was still under review and being implemented slowly. Back in June, Defense Secretary James Mattis announced those plans would be delayed.
The LGBT community in Lubbock spoke out about the declaration. Transgender man
Cadyn Ribera said he was confused after seeing the tweets.
“I just was kind of in disbelief because I remember in his campaign he tweeted something about how Hillary won’t be there for the LGBT community and I will, and talking about how he was going to fight for LGBT rights,” Ribera said. “Then tweets like this happen and I’m like…where? What are you talking about? That is completely opposite of what you said in your campaign.”
Lawmakers are speaking out in agreement with the President about cost of medical assistance being a major concern.
“We have global threats that are increasing daily, and I don’t want to take time and treasure on a surgery or a hormonal replacement that affects the readiness of the entire Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, you name the service,” U.S. Congressman Ralph Abraham of Louisiana said.
Ribera said he believes the cost of being willing to give your life is much higher.
“If someone is willing to die for our country, but you are not going to let them, what does that say about where we stand?” Ribera said. “That is almost like saying you can’t be in the military because you are a woman or because of your skin color. That drives me absolutely crazy because if someone loves their country enough to fight for it, why are we stopping them?”
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said this is a major policy announcement, and they will be working with the Department of Defense to implement it.
The Lubbock chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or PFLAG, said they wanted to hear from President Trump himself at the podium.
“If you are going to issue a major reversal of a policy, that I think is discriminatory, you should stand in front of the press and the American people,” Grace Rogers, PFLAG Board Member said. “A tweet is a kind of cowardly way to issue this.”
Ribera said he has a friend in the air force who is transgender, and added that all he can do is speak out for him. PFLAG agreed, telling EverythingLubbock.com that the president may be the commander-in-chief, but they wouldn’t stop fighting.
“We can’t lose hope. What is the alternative if we lose hope? To roll over?” Rogers said. “I won’t roll over.”
