Modern Military Urges Congress to Reject Anti-Equality Amendments in the FY26 NDAA

Modern Military Association of America (MMAA) has officially sent a letter of petition to Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Reed, Chairman Rogers, and Ranking Member Smith, calling on NDAA conferees to remove harmful, anti-equality provisions from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.

This letter continues our long-standing commitment to protecting LGBTQ military families, LGBTQ veterans, and in particular our transgender service members and dependents who are under attack from discriminatory legislation that threatens their safety, dignity, and access to care.

What’s at Stake

The provisions currently included in the FY26 NDAA — and those implemented last year in the FY2025 NDAA — would:

• Strip essential healthcare protections
• Restrict transgender service members’ and adult dependents access to medically necessary care
• Limit inclusion and expression for LGBTQ+ service members, spouses, children, and cadets at military academies and on DoD installations
• Create unsustainable financial burdens that undermine and readiness, retention, and the core values of the U.S. military

Many of these amendments are not only harmful, but together will implement a codified backdoor ban on transgender service that will take decades to undo.

“Our LGBTQ+ service members and their families deserve the same dignity, safety, and access to care as everyone who serves.”

The Human Impact: Real Stories From Military Families

Alongside this letter, Modern Military also submitted testimonials from military families directly harmed by these policies. These stories make clear what is at risk if Congress does not act.

. . .we were absolutely blindsided by what felt like a betrayal in last year’s NDAA. 2025 has changed everything.

My spouse turned down a competitive assignment leading troops because it would have meant moving our family to an unsafe state. That one decision ended the upward trajectory of his career. Instead, he accepted a hardship tour overseas so our family could remain where our child is thriving.

You can see more excerpts from these testimonials on our social media.

These personal stories reflect the reality for thousands of LGBTQ+ military families who simply want to serve their country with dignity.

Modern Military Asks You to Stand United

Congress must hear directly from the people affected by these policies. Your voice matters.

Call your Representatives and Senators today and tell them to protect LGBTQ+ service members and families in the FY26 NDAA.

Find your elected officials here.

Need Help Calling Your Representatives?

We know reaching out to Congress can feel intimidating, so we’ve made it easy. Modern Military has prepared a simple, ready-to-use call script to help you speak confidently about why these anti-equality provisions must be removed from the FY26 NDAA.

Whether you’re an LGBTQ+ service member, a spouse, a veteran, or an ally, this script will walk you through exactly what to say when you call your Representative or Senators.

👉 Scroll down to use the script and make your call today. Your voice can change the outcome.

Phone Script for NDAA Calls:

When you call your representatives, you will be speaking to a staffer who may or may not be familiar with the NDAA. That’s okay. Just be clear, specific, and as brief as possible to get your point across. You can also feel free to ask where their senator/representative stands on the issues that you are bringing to them. Don’t worry, you’ll do great!

Full Script:

Hello, my name is [insert your name]. I’m a constituent from [insert your state], zip code [insert your zip code] OR I’m a military spouse / service member / veteran living in / stationed in your district.

I am calling to ask [insert your representative’s name] to VOTE NO on the NDAA if it includes anti-LGBTQ provisions. I don’t support the NDAA being used to roll back LGBTQ equality at a federal level. I don’t support healthcare bans, facility bans, sports bans or flag bans, and they don’t belong in the NDAA.   

Use the statistics included in this blog to make your point. Share your personal experience if you are comfortable and feel safe doing so. Explain your expertise and how these policies would impact you and your family.

Please tell [insert your representative’s name] to VOTE NO for an NDAA that includes anti LGBTQ provisions. 

Breakdown:

Parts of the Call	Example
Your name and state	Hello, my name is [insert your name]. I’m a constituent from [insert your state], zip code [insert your zip code]. ORI’m a military spouse / service member / veteran living in / stationed in your district.
State the issue	I am calling to ask [insert your representative’s name] to VOTE NO on the NDAA if it includes anti-LGBTQ provisions. I don’t support the NDAA being used to roll back LGBTQ equality at a federal level. I don’t support healthcare bans, facility bans, sports bans or flag bans, and they don’t belong in the NDAA.    Use the statistics included in this packet to make your point. Share your personal experience if you are comfortable and feel safe doing so. Explain your expertise and how these policies would impact you and your family.
Explain what you would like the representative to do	Please tell [insert your representative’s name] to VOTE NO for an NDAA that includes anti LGBTQ provisions.