Michael A. Clarke: Bigot-in-Chief’s reasons to discriminate against transgender soldiers are bogus
The Bigot-in-Chief has struck again! President, and five-times draft-dodger, Donald Trump has proclaimed that transgender people are unfit to serve in the military. His reason – that transgender people in military service result in “tremendous costs and disruption” – is not supported by facts. This is another attempt by a Republican leader to legalize discrimination.
Anti-transgender advocates cite the high cost of providing medical care for transgenders. However, they seem unconcerned by the millions of dollars spent to provide Viagra for military folks needing a little enhancement. Regarding “disruption,” transgender people serve openly in 19 countries without any evidence of disruption or lack of “unit cohesion.”
It’s sad when our president and his followers feel people who want to serve our country should be deprived of their opportunity to serve solely on the basis of their gender. Trump’s opinions regarding transgender people’s inability to defend our country are the same as those falsely applied in the past to gays and lesbians. Does he plan to attack them next? What about women? Will they become second-class military personnel in the future?
There is no room for discrimination in our country, regardless of presidential tweets and bigotry.
Michael A. Clarke, Salida
This story was originally published August 1, 2017 at 4:31 PM with the headline "Michael A. Clarke: Bigot-in-Chief’s reasons to discriminate against transgender soldiers are bogus."