The U.S. Supreme Court recently cleared the way for transgender troops to be removed from duty.Honolulu Civil BeatBy Michael RamrasMay 13, 2025Laila Ireland remembers watching the 9/11 attacks on TV at Leilehua High School. Influenced by her family’s legacy of military service, she felt it was her duty to join the Army.“I told myself, I’m going to war,” recalled Ireland, who was assigned male at birth before she transitioned.She enlisted and spent years fighting for the rights of transgender service members.Now, the Trump administration seeks to undo much of that work by banning transgender people from the military and cutting their benefits.Thousands of troops and veterans risk losing financial coverage, mental health resources and medical care such as hormone therapy. An exact count of transgender troops isn’t available, but a 2018 estimate by the Palm Center as part of research into LGBTQ issues put the number at more than 8,000 active forces.
They are giving service members a Hobson's choice and many are not going to take it.
Active duty trans service members like Logan Ireland had the option of leaving the service voluntarily by the end of March and receiving double the pay they would if they are involuntarily separated from the military.They could choose to stay in the hopes of retaining their benefits if they are able to remain in the service, but run the risk of involuntary separation and losing out on both their benefits and the extra separation pay.
But you know darn well Trump & Company don't care about us at it... it is all about politics! And Hawaiʻi isn't the only state saying... no way!
February 14, 2025Vermont and 19 States File Amicus Brief in Federal CourtMONTPELIER, Vt. – Attorney General Charity Clark today led a coalition of 20 state attorneys general in filing a “friend of the court,” or amicus, brief to support a lawsuit aiming to block the implementation of President Trump’s executive order banning transgender people from serving in the military. The brief argues that the executive order is unconstitutional, harms national security, and discriminates against transgender people honorably serving in our nation’s military, including the National Guard in every state.The amicus brief filed by Attorney General Clark and the coalition of states supports a request for a preliminary injunction filed by a group of current and prospective transgender service members. The plaintiffs filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The Court set the date for a hearing on February 18, 2025.“This executive order is not only unconstitutional – it is insulting to the transgender military members who have long served in our nation’s military, honorably and with distinction,” said Attorney General Clark. “Nothing about being transgender inhibits a person’s ability to contribute to society or serve in the military. The Trump Administration seeks to ban otherwise qualified people from service simply because of who they are. The executive order is a step backwards for civil rights and the principles of equality.”The coalition argues that President Trump’s executive order purporting to ban transgender people from serving in the military violates the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution. It would also weaken our military, harm state emergency and disaster preparedness, deprive the military of experienced and qualified soldiers during an extremely challenging time for recruitment, and engage in discrimination in violation of state laws protecting transgender individuals’ right to participate fully in society.[...]Joining Attorney General Clark in filing today’s amicus brief are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Funny. There are no Republican states listed. I wonder why that is?
Sadly the Supreme Courts has allowed service members to be kicked out of the military while the case winds it way through the court system.
I am glad Hawaii is fighting it. I have been to the Hawaiin Pacific cemetery in HA and it is beautiful! People gave their life to serve, and it should not matter what sex they are.
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