Transgender folks protect our freedoms

In a tweet last month, President Donald Trump stated that the federal government “will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. military.” On Friday, Trump signed a directive precluding transgender individuals from joining the military, but left the decision on what to do with openly transgender military personnel already serving up to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

Every time I read about this topic, my faith in President Donald Trump shatters even more. We have individuals brave enough to put on a uniform and risk their lives every day to ensure that people, like Trump, have the freedoms we all cherish and we are taking that for granted. What Trump has taken away from these transgender heroes is heartbreaking and he’s done it because of what? Their longing to be happy in their own skin?

It’s truly upsetting that a man, constantly preaching about how great he wants America to be, would openly discriminate against a whole group of citizens. Especially citizens who want to protect the country that seems to always condemn them for being who they are.

I stand united with every transgender service member, and from myself and many other American citizens, we appreciate you. We love you. Thank you.

Jamie Scollard Canal Winchester