Today, the Modern Military Association of America (MMAA), the nation’s largest LGBTQ military and veteran non-profit organization, released the following statement following the U.S. House of Representatives’ vote to overturn the Trump-Pence administration’s transgender military ban. Adopted by a voice vote, the amendment to the fiscal 2021 Defense appropriations bill was introduced by Rep. Jackie Speier, chairwoman of the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee, and would effectively end the ban by blocking the use of funds to implement it.
“As our nation faces seemingly unprecedented challenges, it’s crucially important that the military return to an inclusive policy that allows any qualified patriot to serve,” said MMAA Interim Executive Director Jennifer Dane. “With this vote, the U.S. House of Representatives just sent a powerful message that bigotry and discrimination should have no place in our Armed Forces. We urge the full Congress to ensure this critically important amendment is passed.”
In the case of Karnoski v. Trump, MMAA and Lambda Legal are currently challenging the constitutionality of the Trump-Pence administration’s transgender military ban. The lawsuit represents six currently serving members of the armed services; three who seek to enlist; the American Military Partner Association (now part of MMAA); the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest LGBTQ advocacy organization; and Gender Justice League, a gender and sexuality civil and human rights organization, headquartered in Seattle.