
(Photo: Getty)
Back in 1992, Canada ended its ban on LGBTQ+ members in the military, making it one of 18 countries that still allows transgender personnel to serve on behalf of their country. Since Bill C-16 was passed in June—criminalizing discrimination on the grounds of gender expression and identity—the Canadian Forces has made it a priority to improve its diversity policies.
We’re giving you this brief history lesson on the heels of yet another outrageous move by the President of the United States. On July 26, in a move that outraged a slew of celebrities and civilians alike, Trump announced on Twitter (yes, Twitter) that he will ban transgender personnel from serving in the U.S. military. This, despite his tweet last year in support of LGBT rights. According to Trump, medical costs and “disruptions” caused by transgender people won’t allow the military to function cohesively.
After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
….Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
….victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
Hours after the trio of tweets, the Canadian Forces responded to Trump by sharing a photo of the Royal Canadian Navy band playing in the 2016 Pride Parade with this caption:
We welcome Cdns of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Join us! #DiversityIsOurStrength #ForcesJobs https://t.co/572KahN2Zh pic.twitter.com/9In7HR4Utj
— Canadian Forces (@CanadianForces) July 26, 2017
City News also released a video detailing the Canadian military’s stance regarding transgender members, citing a 2011 policy that protects transgender individuals’ rights to sex-reassignment surgery—including the guarantee that a military assignment would not interfere with their medical procedures.
In the past, members of the Canadian Forces have encouraged the U.S. military to follow in Canada’s footsteps regarding LGBT rights. Although there are no official statistics of how many Canadian Forces personnel identify as transgender, National Defence spokesman Daniel Le Bouthillier told The Globe and Mail that there are an estimated 200 transgender troops currently serving. He added that the military has paid for 19 sex-reassignment operations between 2008 and 2015.
It’s no secret that being forced to hide gender identity and sexuality—as military personnel have had to do—can have devastating effects on mental health. The American Psychological Association published a study showing that 48 to 62 percent of transgender people suffer from depression, only one of the many side effects of society’s general misunderstanding of gender identity and sexuality. The Canadian Forces’ efforts to diversify demonstrate their acceptance of LGBT troops and validates the contributions these troops make to our country.
After Trump’s tweets regarding his transgender ban, several notable people within the LGBTQ community voiced their concerns on Twitter—among them former U.S. Army soldier Chelsea Manning, actor Laverne Cox and Olympian-slash-reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner.
wrote about trans ban (and war against trans) in @nytimes big setback but we will move forward #WeGotThis https://t.co/c0FML4CFwk
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 27, 2017
To all the trans folks currently serving in the military thank you for your service. I am sorry your “commander in chief” doesn’t value it.
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) July 26, 2017
There are 15,000 patriotic transgender Americans in the US military fighting for all of us. What happened to your promise to fight for them? https://t.co/WzjypVC8Sr
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) July 26, 2017
Our opening to the show last night. #TransRightAreHumanRights https://t.co/Yb7SCrlMDL
— James Corden (@JKCorden) July 27, 2017
Jimmy invites transgender comedian Patti Harrison to #FallonTonight to address Trump’s transgender military ban pic.twitter.com/C6rEMclpgQ
— Fallon Tonight (@FallonTonight) July 26, 2017
So far, it seems that Trump’s tweets have virtually zero legal ground. However, advocacy groups have already started protesting in case the tweets lead to legal proceedings. FLARE will continue following this story as it develops.
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