Obama invited an out transgender airman to attend White House pride reception
Senior Airman Logan Ireland, born female, was granted permission to wear a man’s uniform.
America’s largest employer of trans citizens is also the institution that can blatantly, legally discriminate against them: the U.S. military.
President Obama showed he didn’t share that same sentiment on Wednesday when he invited an out transgender airman from the U.S. Air Force to attend an LGBT pride reception at the White House.
Senior Airman Logan Ireland received the support of his senior military officials, as well. The military can still discharge service members for identifying as trans, but Ireland said he was put on official orders to attend the pride service and was granted an exception to appear in a man’s uniform.
When asked if Ireland should be discharged, a White House spokesman cited comments from the president’s press secretary, Josh Earnest, earlier in the week.
“I will reiterate the President’s view — and it’s one that is shared by his Secretary of Defense — and it’s that Americans who are qualified to serve should be able to do so, and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,’’ Earnest had said.
Ireland’s fiancé, Army Cpl. Laila Villanueva, is a transgender woman. She attended in civilian clothes.
“We are trying to make a statement to say, if you are letting me go by male dress and appearance standards,’’ Ireland told Buzzfeed, “then why not let my fiancée’’ wear the uniform that corresponds with her gender identity? “She is also active duty in the Army. And there are other people from other branches of the military who are transgender who are not able to go by the same standards I am.’’
Ireland and Villanueva were recently profiled in a New York Times op-ed documentary. Ireland has the support of his fellow servicemen, but Villanueava does not.
June is LGBT Pride Month at the White House. Obama has not taken an official position on the issue, but the White House has enacted the Military Acceptance Project to promote the acceptance of all service members.
“As service members, combat veterans, military family members and active supporters of the military,’’ says the Project’s description, “MAP’s founders believe that all people who willingly support and defend the Constitution of the United States deserve to feel accepted and be treated equally in their daily lives.’’
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