In three tweets, President Trump proved

himself a truer friend of a dying branch of social conservatism than to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community he vowed to protect.

Make no mistake: Policies barring transgender individuals from serving in the military “in any capacity” are predicated upon hurtful stereotypes, not military expertise. The nonpartisan RAND Corporation estimates the “tremendous medical costs” associated with providing hormone therapy and surgical transitions to transgender personnel would range from $2.4 million to $8.4 million per year — roughly one tenth of 1% of the military’s current health care expenditures.

Like their brothers and sisters in arms, our transgender servicemembers are focused on delivering decisive American victories, and to assume otherwise is to reduce their honor to the pictogram on a bathroom door. As Sen. John McCain duly noted, “Any American who wants to serve our country and is able to meet the standards should have the opportunity to do so — and should be treated as the patriots they are.”

As the organization that led the charge against the hateful “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, we remain committed to defending the transgender patriots who put their lives on the line to keep us free.

Gregory T. Angelo, president Log Cabin Republicans

Washington, D.C.