The article discusses the implications of the 2017 transgender military ban, highlighting the negative impact of exclusionary policies based on identity on military effectiveness and broader civil rights. Civil rights lawyers emphasize that disqualifying qualified service members based on identity threatens not only military operations but also other professions such as firefighting and law enforcement. The text warns against the dangerous precedent this sets, as discrimination often expands to target various identities, ultimately undermining rights across all sectors of society.
We are civil rights lawyers who led the fight against the 2017 transgender military ban. Make no mistake: When politicians bar qualified people from serving their country based on identity rather than ability, it threatens hard-won protections far beyond the military.
If we accept that identity alone can disqualify someone from service - despite meeting every physical, medical, and performance standard - this same logic risks spreading to other professions.
Their units will lose trusted leaders and critical expertise that took years to develop.
When Don't Ask, Don't Tell was in force, it didn't just hurt LGB service members - it reinforced the toxic message that being gay was incompatible with honor.
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