(Washington, DC, February 7, 2019) – Today, Sharon McGowan, Legal Director and Chief Strategy Officer of Lambda Legal, issued the following statement after lawmakers in Congress introduced legislation to legislation that would allow current and future transgender troops to serve openly in the military:

“Lambda Legal is so appreciative of Senator Gillibrand, Representative Speier, and all of the other champions who are spearheading this important legislation to ensure that transgender service members are treated equally. Transgender military personnel are meeting every rigorous military standard that is required of all service members and have done so for more than two and half years. Service members should be judged based on whether they can satisfy the nation’s military service requirements, not who they are or who they love. This legislation will help ensure that transgender service members who are otherwise qualified can continue serving our country without fear of discrimination.”