October 31, 2017 - Applauds Court’s Decision To Block Trump Administration’s Ban On Transgender Service In Armed Forces

October 31, 2017

NHLA APPLAUDS COURT’S DECISION TO BLOCK TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S BAN ON TRANSGENDER SERVICE IN ARMED FORCES

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of 45 of the nation’s preeminent Latino advocacy organizations, joins LGBTQ organizations and civil rights allies in applauding a federal district court’s decision to block the Trump administration’s ban on transgender service in the military. Upon issuing a preliminary injunction on Trump’s ban, the court stated that “there is absolutely no support for the claim that the ongoing service of transgender people would have any negative [effect] on the military at all.” Such a decision recognizes the unconstitutionality of issuing a ban that targets specific communities.

“We applaud the court’s decision to block the Trump administration’s ban on transgender service in our armed forces. This ban was yet another action by the administration based on pure discrimination, not our military needs or interests. As Commander in Chief, the president should appreciate those who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our country, rather than use our military as a political playground. There is no place for discrimination in our military or in our society,” said Hector Sanchez Barba, Chair of NHLA and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.

“We deeply appreciate the court’s action in this matter, which underscores the importance of the checks and balances of the three branches of the federal government enshrined in the Constitution. Patriotic Americans can continue to serve in the armed forces and risk their lives for this nation, regardless of their gender expression,” said Arturo Vargas, Co-Chair of NHLA’s LGBTQ Task Force and Executive Director of NALEO.

“This important court decision demonstrates the very real costs of Donald Trump’s continued rhetorical attacks on many groups that form the backbone of our nation. Not only do such attacks on people, including courageous transgender service members, encourage division in our population, they diminish respect for our Constitution, to the detriment of our nation here and abroad, where service members are so often put at risk. The White House should cease undermining our national security through capricious tweet,” said Thomas A. Saenz, NHLA vice chair and MALDEF president and general counsel.

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL HISPANIC LEADERSHIP AGENDA
The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda is composed of 45 of the leading national and regional Latino civil rights and public policy organizations and other elected officials, and prominent Latinos Americans. NHLA coalition members represent the diversity of the Latino community – Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and other Latino Americans. NHLA’s mission calls for unity among Latinos around the country to provide the Latino community with greater visibility and a clearer, stronger influence in our country’s affairs. NHLA brings together Latino leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of, the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit: www.nationalhispanicleadership.org.

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