Donald Trump tweeted a message to his political base this week, saying that transgender people would be prohibited from serving in the military. Trump’s announcement seemed to come from left field — a way of changing the subject when it seems too focused on the “Russia thing”? Saying the US Military will no longer “accept or allow” transgender individuals to serve, Trump did manage to chance the discussion — for now.
Trump said he reached his determination that “transgender individuals” were bad for the military after “consultation with my Generals and military experts” citing “tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.” Here are the first reactions of 8 famous transgender individuals.
There are 15,000 patriotic transgender Americans in the US military fighting for all of us. What happened to your promise to fight for them? https://t.co/WzjypVC8Sr
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) July 26, 2017
Laura Jane Grace retweeted transgender costs v. erectile dysfunction costs.
Cost of trans medical care in military: $2.4-8.4 million est.
Cost the military already spends on boner pills: $84.2 million10x as much! pic.twitter.com/ZYWWrrQN7V
— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) July 26, 2017
Shane Ortega, disabled veteran:
When you attack transgender military members you are attacking Americas war fighters. @POTUS once again shows his apathy for service.
— Shane Ortega (@OnlyShaneOrtega) July 26, 2017
Jamie Clayton:
ALL OF MY RESPECT, LOVE & GRATITUDE GO TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO DEFENDS OUR FREEDOM BY SERVING VOLUNTARILY. #45, you’ve never served. pic.twitter.com/ALYNIaezei
— Jamie Clayton (@MsJamieClayton) July 26, 2017
Laverne Cox:
To all the trans folks currently serving in the military thank you for your service. I am sorry your “commander in chief” doesn’t value it.
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) July 26, 2017
Chelsea Manning:
so, biggest baddest most $$ military on earth cries about a few trans people ? but funds the F-35? ? sounds like cowardice ??? #WeGotThis
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
Janet Mock:
Trolling at its finest from a man who’s never served & shown up the way trans servicefolk have & are https://t.co/r8f6vW2N4J
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) July 26, 2017
Chaz Bono:
Just another glorious day in Trump’s America. I wonder who’s rights he’ll strip away next? Mine today yours tomorrow https://t.co/RcCPwKL3nU pic.twitter.com/q91cBqJTzQ
— Chaz Bono (@ChazBono) July 26, 2017
Former Miss Universe contestant Jenna Talackova gets put in the conversation:
Wonder how many transgenders Trump has hit on and doesn’t even know it? This btw, is Jenna Talackova, who competed in Miss Universe. pic.twitter.com/UHFBqCko5g
— Janice Hough (@leftcoastbabe) July 26, 2017
