Rep. Cisneros Statement on the DoD Implementation of the Ban on Transgender Service Members

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Armed Services Committee Member Congressman Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. released a statement on the Department of Defense’s (DoD) implementation of the ban on the service of transgender people.

“The President's belligerent pursuit of implementing the Transgender Service Policy is a disgusting attack against patriotic service members who have already proven their ability to meet strategic needs and who pose no risks to unit cohesion and military readiness," said Rep Cisneros. Any person who has the courage, spirit, and commitment to serve our country in uniform should be allowed to do so. This is nothing more than an unnecessary and discriminatory action.  

“My support of our service members is unequivocal, and I will continue to fight against this hateful and bigoted policy. Transgender service members have the right to their dignity and they have the right to serve. The Acting DoD Secretary must delay implementation of this ban until the courts have made their final decisions on this issue.”

Rep. Cisneros is a 10-year Navy veteran and former Lt. Commander and supply and logistics officer and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) as well as a member of the LGBT Equality Caucus, he recently received testimony from active duty transgender service members on this issue. He is also an original cosponsor of H.Res. 124, a resolution expressing opposition to banning service in the Armed Forces by openly transgender individuals and cosigned a letter to the Acting Secretary of Defense Shanahan to maintain the status quo and not implement the ban on transgender troops in the aftermath of the Supreme Court decision. In addition, he is an original cosponsor of H.R. 5, the Equality Act, a comprehensive bill that will ensure that all LGBT Americans can enjoy their most basic human rights no matter where they live, work, or go to school.

###