After President Donald Trump declared he would eventually propose a ban on transgender members from remaining in service, a federal judge has just stepped in to denounce this proposal as unconstitutional. Evoking their first amendment privileges, service members were adamant that this ban went against their right to due process as well as their equal protection under the law.  

Supporters of the judge’s injunction such as Monse Ramirez, 12, also address the sacrifice transexual soldiers make to serve the country.

“It was right that the court ruled this unconstitutional,” Ramirez said. “They are giving up their life, to protect us, and just by that alone should deserve our full respect and gratitude.”

After the president of the United States issued comments expressing his opposition to transexual individuals in the military earleir this year, an outcry of differing opinions were sparked as a result.

There are those who support Donald Trump idea, arguing that because ultimately, Gender Dysphoria, a disorder characterized as the distress one feels with their sex assigned at birth, is a mental incapability that may hinder their efficiency while in service. Jackie Salas, 12, addressed these positions.  

“Those halting their potential transition and having Gender Dysphoria may lead to distraction despite their best efforts to place their work as a top priority,” Salas stated. “…and physical requirements under the Military Medical Standards of Enlistment and Commission may exclude some reassignment surgeries that transsexuals may undergo.”

Another potential action that was protested was the current president promise to revoke a policy instituted by the Obama Administration. President Barack Obama mandated that the military the cover medical expenses of transexual service members. President Trump attempted to nullify this law, claiming that it was not the government place to finance an one’s transition surgeries. Luben Mitrachkov, 12, admitted that that is was, in fact, pretty reasonable for the government to cover such expenses.

“People serving in the military have their education covered, why can’t we repay trans veterans with Sexual Reassignment surgery, ” Mitrachkov said. “Although some surgeries shouldn’t be covered by the government, we owe these people for their service and I don’t see why that money couldn’t be put towards their SRS.”

Although this federal court ruling has the potentiality to be overturned, it seems highly unlikely. In the meantime, this small yet significant victory for LGBT rights bears promise for greater equality for all in the military.