CNS News, by Staff: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) put out a statement on Wednesday—the “International Transgender Day of Visibility”—celebrating President Joe Biden’s decision to allow transgenders to serve in the military in the gender they identify as and the Biden Defense Department’s decision to provide transitioning surgery to transgender service members.
“Today, on International Transgender Day of Visibility, the Biden Administration is reaffirming this truth: that our transgender servicemembers are American heroes, and their patriotic service should be honored with dignity and respect,” Pelosi said.
“This important step keeps the promise made by President Biden in his first week of office to reverse the hateful Trump assault waged against the thousands of transgender Americans who serve in our military,” she said.
“Thanks to the courageous advocacy of the LGBTQ and military communities and the leadership of Democrats, transgender servicemembers will now have access to the essential medical treatment needed to transition, to protections against discrimination and to the freedom to serve openly under their self-identified gender,” Pelosi said.
“At the same time, with this action, our military readiness will be enhanced, our core American values will be honored and those with the strength and bravery to serve will not be turned away because of who they are,” she said.
“Under Democrats, America’s defense strategy will be dictated by the priorities of security, stability and strength,” Pelosi said. “On this day and always, Democrats stand with all members of the trans community in defense of their rights and dignity.”
On Jan. 25, Biden issued an executive order requiring the military to let transgender individuals serve in the armed forces in the gender of their choosing.
“It is my conviction as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces that gender identity should not be a bar to military service,” Biden said in that order. “Moreover, there is substantial evidence that allowing transgender individuals to serve in the military does not have any meaningful negative impact on the Armed Forces.”
Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday that the department will provide medical treatment to allow transgenders to transition.
Here is the full text of Pelosi’s statement:
San Francisco – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement after the Biden Administration announced the implementation of its January 25 executive order to reverse the Trump assault on transgender troops:
“Today, on International Transgender Day of Visibility, the Biden Administration is reaffirming this truth: that our transgender servicemembers are American heroes, and their patriotic service should be honored with dignity and respect.
“This important step keeps the promise made by President Biden in his first week of office to reverse the hateful Trump assault waged against the thousands of transgender Americans who serve in our military. Thanks to the courageous advocacy of the LGBTQ and military communities and the leadership of Democrats, transgender servicemembers will now have access to the essential medical treatment needed to transition, to protections against discrimination and to the freedom to serve openly under their self-identified gender. At the same time, with this action, our military readiness will be enhanced, our core American values will be honored and those with the strength and bravery to serve will not be turned away because of who they are.
“Under Democrats, America’s defense strategy will be dictated by the priorities of security, stability and strength. On this day and always, Democrats stand with all members of the trans community in defense of their rights and dignity.”
Prophetic Link:
“The world is given up to pleasure; immorality prevails; the rights of the weak and helpless are disregarded; and, the world over, the large cities are fast becoming hotbeds of iniquity.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, page 422.1.