Planned Parenthood Condemns Trump’s Discriminatory Military Policy Targeting Transgender People
For Immediate Release: Aug. 25, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Donald Trump signed a presidential memo barring transgender people from enlisting in the United States military. In doing so, he has threatened the discharge of thousands of active transgender service members and ordering the U.S. Department of Defense to stop providing gender-affirming treatment — which leading health professionals agree is medically necessary care that should not be denied on a political whim. Planned Parenthood Federation of America joins people and organizations from across the political spectrum in condemning this policy.
“President Trump’s directives targeting patriotic transgender people’s right to serve our nation and threatening their access to health care are cruel affronts to our nation’s values. Our country is strengthened by diversity, and that includes people of all genders,” said Dawn Laguens, executive vice president at Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
“Denying access to gender-affirming health care is a clear attempt to disregard a widely accepted medical practice and stigmatize potentially lifesaving treatment,” Laguens said. “President Trump claims that this health care is a cost that our nation can’t afford, but that’s false. This is discrimination – period. Planned Parenthood believes that all people deserve access to quality, affordable health care and will continue to fight for the dignity and well-being of our transgender staff, patients, supporters, and people of all gender identities.”
###
Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.