Transgender troops file third lawsuit against Trump admin over military ban: ‘In jeopardy’
Two transgender military service members, Master Sgt. Logan Ireland and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Bear Bade, who have both undergone sex changes from female to male, are challenging the Trump administration in court over executive orders that prohibit transgender individuals from serving in the military and only recognize two sexes, male and female.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, argues that the executive orders unfairly target Air Force personnel like Ireland and Bade, subjecting them to discriminatory treatment. Both service members, who transitioned to live as men, face the threat of separation from the military unless they revert to serving as their biological sex.
The lawsuit emphasizes that Ireland and Bade have a constitutional right to serve in the military regardless of their transgender status, which does not impact their ability to fulfill their duties. Both airmen have served honorably for over a decade and fear the consequences of being forced to resign, as it would jeopardize their careers, livelihoods, and families.
This legal challenge is the latest in a series of lawsuits against the Trump administration’s transgender military ban and its insistence on recognizing only two sexes. The plaintiffs are seeking to block the enforcement of these executive orders, joining other district judges who have pushed back against similar policies.
In response to the lawsuit, the White House has been contacted for comment. Meanwhile, the ongoing legal battle underscores the broader debate surrounding transgender rights and equality in the military and society at large.
As this case unfolds in court, it raises important questions about inclusivity, diversity, and the rights of transgender individuals to serve their country without facing discrimination based on their gender identity. The outcome of this legal challenge could have far-reaching implications for the future of transgender military service and civil rights in the United States.
