UUA President the Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray issued the following statement on Thursday, July 27, in response to Donald Trump’s plan to ban transgender people from serving in the U.S. military.

“Yesterday’s announcement from President Trump that he is barring transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military is an act of blatant discrimination against transgender citizens. As Unitarian Universalists, we denounce President Trump’s claim that allowing transgender persons to serve in the United States military would be a burden and a disruption. We believe that transgender people should be accorded all the rights and responsibilities due every citizen, including the right to serve our country in the military. Today, more than 15,000 transgender Americans are on active duty in the military, and their status is now thrown into question.

“In reversing the decision made last year by President Obama’s administration, President Trump not only undermines the strength and readiness of our armed forces but also goes back on his campaign pledge to support the LGBTQ community. We call upon the Trump administration to uphold the American values of equality and service by reversing yesterday’s discriminatory decision.”