Oregon senators back bill combatting ban on transgender military members
would prohibit the Department of Defense from banning transgender service members from the military and would ban the department from listing gender identity as a qualification for service.
Additionally, the bill would ban the department from denying necessary health care on the basis of gender identity and bans the department from discriminating against service members based on their gender identity.
Oregon Sen. Merkley re-introduces Equality Act to ban LGBTQ+ discrimination
The bill comes after President Trump signed an executive order in January, banning transgender people from joining or continuing to serve in the military.
As a result, the senators say the Department of Defense forced active-duty service members to self-identify for voluntary separation by June 6, noting service members in the Reserves have until June 7.
As the ban is being challenged in federal court, the Supreme Court has allowed the Department of Defense to implement the ban, which the senators say will threaten the careers of thousands of service members.
Newberg vineyard workers arrested in targeted ICE raids: Salinas
'Service members sign up to protect our country with patriotism and bravery,' Sen. Merkley said. 'Banning highly-skilled transgender service members endangers the safety and security of our nation and takes us backward in our march towards equality.'
'Drumming out Americans from military service because of rank prejudice undermines our national defense and is a cruel slap in the face to transgender people,' Sen. Wyden added. 'This bill acts on the core principle that equal treatment of Americans based solely on their ability to do the job must guide the armed forces and any other walk of life.'
The Fit to Serve Act was led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and co-sponsored by other senators, including Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.)
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