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?”
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? https://t.co/WzjypVC8Sr
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) July 26, 2017
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?”
Invidious discrimination against any group must be opposed by all. Straight/Cis allies: Will you stand with LGBTs?#TransRightsAreHumanRights
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 26, 2017
Andy Cohen’s response was more blunt: “Are you TRYING to be an asshole?” he asked.
Are you TRYING to be an asshole? https://t.co/QW9axAScmO
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) July 26, 2017
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.”
Trolling at its finest from a man who's never served & shown up the way trans servicefolk have & are https://t.co/r8f6vW2N4J
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) July 26, 2017
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.
I grew up in a military w/ LGBT people serving in the shadows. We can't let DT turn back the clock on our brave, trans soldiers. #RISEUP
— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) July 26, 2017
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.”
Certainly every person currently serving in our armed forces exemplifies these qualities. Thank you LGBT of the military, Air Force & Navy. https://t.co/DjifxI3dDc
— zoe kazan (@zoeinthecities) July 26, 2017
Hey! If any of you actors are in a press junket today, I'd like to remind you that's a position of power. You could turn the conversation…
— zoe kazan (@zoeinthecities) July 26, 2017
Mia Farrow also called for action. “no. My God. This must be challenged,” she tweeted.
no. My God. This must be challenged. https://t.co/H9DBE4cmK7
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) July 26, 2017
See more reactions below:
transgender people show more courage when they leave their fucking houses in the morning than donald trump has shown his entire life
— Matt Bellassai (@MattBellassai) July 26, 2017
Guess the "T" is silent? https://t.co/LTGUYJ6rxw
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) July 26, 2017
Did we really think it would? https://t.co/L01IcsY9Wm
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) July 26, 2017
"BREAKING: Trump: Transgender people will not be allowed to serve `in any capacity' in the US military." ODIOUS OGRE.
— St. Vincent (@st_vincent) July 26, 2017
so, biggest baddest most $$ military on earth cries about a few trans people
but funds the F-35?
sounds like cowardice
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
Sending a message that hate & discrimination should be tolerated if it saves us money. A shameful yet unsurprising new low. #EqualityForAll pic.twitter.com/W8bCub1hMq
— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@jessetyler) July 26, 2017
Really? His press conference will be interesting. Watching Republicans use people to get elected is our new national pastime. https://t.co/C13nAjcpOa
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) July 26, 2017
Correct. https://t.co/GApzH7flhY
— Uzo Aduba (@UzoAduba) July 26, 2017
Hey Ivanka, James here. Hope all is good, quick question, can you… Erm… Call your dad and have a talk. X https://t.co/yiiL89J3Ap
— James Corden (@JKCorden) July 26, 2017
I'm starting to think they don't know what these letters actually stand for. https://t.co/ieznVV5Gio
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) July 26, 2017
Banning some of our most courageous citizens from our military? Way to cripple us, Tr*mp. #TransRightsAreHumanRights
— Ben Platt (@BenSPLATT) July 26, 2017
More to come …
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