Advertisement
U.S. markets open in 3 hours 39 minutes
  • S&P Futures

    5,206.75
    -8.00 (-0.15%)
     
  • Dow Futures

    39,177.00
    -46.00 (-0.12%)
     
  • Nasdaq Futures

    18,197.50
    -34.00 (-0.19%)
     
  • Russell 2000 Futures

    2,043.00
    -6.80 (-0.33%)
     
  • Crude Oil

    82.47
    -0.25 (-0.30%)
     
  • Gold

    2,157.40
    -6.90 (-0.32%)
     
  • Silver

    25.12
    -0.14 (-0.57%)
     
  • EUR/USD

    1.0840
    -0.0037 (-0.34%)
     
  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.3400
    0.0000 (0.00%)
     
  • Vix

    14.59
    +0.26 (+1.81%)
     
  • GBP/USD

    1.2671
    -0.0057 (-0.45%)
     
  • USD/JPY

    150.6200
    +1.5220 (+1.02%)
     
  • Bitcoin USD

    63,776.72
    -4,204.75 (-6.19%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • FTSE 100

    7,718.23
    -4.32 (-0.06%)
     
  • Nikkei 225

    40,003.60
    +263.20 (+0.66%)
     

Hollywood Reacts to Trump’s Transgender Military Ban: ‘This Must Be Challenged’

Several Hollywood insiders expressed outrage on social media, following President Trump’s announcement Wednesday morning that the U.S. government will no longer “accept or allow” transgender people’s service in the military.

“Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail,” Trump tweeted, effectively reversing an Obama-era policy.

Laverne Cox issued a statement that addressed her personal experiences meeting transgender people who are currently serving, and the potential impact of Trump’s tweets.

“I have met many transgender Americans over the years who have served or are currently serving our country in the military,” Cox wrote. “I have heard from them humiliating stories of being misgendered and experiencing various kinds of mistreatment when they are willing to put their lives on the line in ways many of us would never do including our current President. This latest reversal of another Obama administration policy continues to send the message to trans Americans that our lives, our safety and service are less valuable and unwanted in this country, the country I love and hold so dear. Let’s all come together and send the message to trans Americans that despite what this president and administration proclaims that trans lives, safety and service are valuable, that they matter.”

Caitlyn Jenner wrote, “There are 15,000 patriotic transgender Americans in the US military fighting for all of us. What happened to your promise to fight for them?”

George Takei was among the first to react. “History shall record that you are not only the stupidest, most incompetent president ever, but also the cruelest and pettiest,” he tweeted minutes after the news broke, and later added a call to action: “Invidious discrimination against any group must be opposed by all. Straight/Cis allies: Will you stand with LGBTs?”

Andy Cohen’s response was more blunt: “Are you TRYING to be an asshole?” he asked.

Janey Mock wrote, “Trolling at its finest from a man who’s never served and shown up the way trans service folk have and are. There are many ways to serve our communities/countries. Trans folk have done vital work, putting bodies on the line unlike Trump.”

Dustin Lance Black warned that the decision would “turn back the clock” on progress. “I grew up in a military [with] LGBT people serving in the shadows. We can’t let DT turn back the clock on our brave, trans soldiers,” he wrote.

Zoe Kazan thanked the members of the LGBT community who are already serving. “Certainly every person currently serving in our armed forces exemplifies these qualities. Thank you LGBT of the military, Air Force & Navy,” she wrote. Kazan also encouraged celebrities on press tour to speak up. “You could turn the conversation,” she wrote, to which Jay Duplass responded, “On it.”

Mia Farrow also called for action. “no. My God. This must be challenged,” she tweeted.

See more reactions below:

More to come …

Get more from Variety and Variety411: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter

Advertisement