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SLDN Will Honor Moment of Silence on Repeal Day for Transgender Patriots

This Tuesday, SLDN will join equality advocates, allies and supporters in Repeal Day celebrations nationwide as we mark the official end of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law.

The demise of this terrible law, however, does not mean full equality in the military has been achieved for all members of the LGBT community. After September 20, transgender service members will still be banned from serving openly, and it will remain unsafe for them to come out without the threat of being discharged.

The following anonymous post from a transgender service member underscores the injustice faced by transgender Americans who will still be forced to serve in silence and fear until military policies are changed:

“I have three and a half years on my contract and do not plan on re-enlisting. If military policies were different and transgender people could openly serve I would re-enlist in a heartbeat and go to Officer Candidate school to pursue my dreams of being a public affairs officer. When I first enlisted I intended on doing 20 years, becoming an officer and retiring. I intended on building a lifelong military legacy and maybe even one day becoming a Marine like my grandfather. But now my military service will be cut to 6 years and I will likely be a staff sergeant when I get out. I’m slated for a deployment in 2013, I don’t know where but I’m excited about the chance to go overseas and serve my country. I know it will be my one and only deployment and the one chance I have to say I did something. If I could I would make it the first of many deployments but compromising my integrity and self worth just isn’t something I can do for 20 years.”

To recognize the service, sacrifice and courage of transgender Americans who have served and continue to defend our country every day, SLDN will join allies in a moment of silence during our flagship celebration in Washington, DC, on September 20. We encourage participants in Repeal Day events across the country to join us in doing so as we recognize that while ending DADT is a milestone, discrimination against transgender Americans persists.

We look forward to celebrating the end of DADT with you on September 20 even as we renew our commitment and resolve to continue the fight for full LGBT equality.

09-15-11 By Emily Tisch Sussman, SLDN Legislative Co-Director |