MMAA is relieved that Senator Tommy Tuberville dropped his hold on over 400 senior military promotions and that the Pentagon’s policy on reimbursing travel expenses for servicemembers to access reproductive healthcare remains intact. While we recognize the senator holds his own beliefs, politicizing military promotions is an inappropriate measure that forces personal viewpoints on the military community. MMAA believes that military promotions should be based on merit and dedication to service rather than becoming entangled in policy disputes. We call on Senator Tuberville to drop all of the remaining holds that are still in place.
As an organization committed to the welfare and equitable treatment of LGBTQ+ military personnel, we are concerned with the efforts to reduce access to reproductive healthcare services especially as members of the LGBTQ+ community often delay seeking preventative care due to social stigmas, discriminatory behavior, or a lack of gender-affirming care. Efforts to limit reproductive healthcare protections are unaligned with what the country believes and supports. The Gallup polls show 85% of Americans believe abortion should be legal in at least certain circumstances. Efforts to reduce access to reproductive healthcare services will ultimately reduce military readiness by affecting retention, morale, performance, operational readiness, recruitment, and overall health of our military.
