What to Remember If You're Hurting After Trump's Transgender Military Ban

On Friday, President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to ban the recruitment of openly transgender people in the military, reversing an Obama-era policy that would have allowed transgender people to openly serve.

This official announcement comes after the president tweeted in late July his plans to ban transgender people from serving in the military.

According to CNN, the White House said that Trump also directed the departments of Defense and Homeland Security “to determine how to address transgender individuals currently serving,” so it is unclear whether or not transgender individuals currently serving in the military will be affected. The military will also no longer provide medical treatment for sex reassignment treatments.

The transgender community already faces high levels of discrimination — and this rejection, discrimination, victimization, and violence influences their higher than average suicide rate.  According to the Trevor Project, 40 percent of transgender adults have made a suicide attempt. A ban on openly transgender individuals serving in the military is discrimination, and American Civil Liberties Union has already announced its plans to take action. 

If this news is hurting you, you are not alone. If you need someone to talk to in wake of this news, you can also text “START” to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line, or call the Trans Lifeline at (877) 565-8860. We know news like this can be hard, especially for people who’ve faced discrimination and cruelty based on their sexual orientation or gender identity before, so we hope you take care of yourselves as this news gets around.

If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources page.

If you need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “HOME” to 741-741. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.

Thinkstock photo via MarijaRadovic