The Military's Long Battle with Equality

The U. S. military has a history of excluding certain groups from service. This pattern was highlighted when a federal judge blocked a policy that aimed to prevent transgender individuals from serving. The judge's decision was clear: everyone deserves an equal chance to serve. The judge's ruling was part of a lawsuit filed by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. They were fighting for six active-duty transgender service members. These soldiers had been facing uncertainty about their future in the military. Two of the plaintiffs, 2nd Lt. Nicholas Talbott and Maj. Erica Vandal, spoke about their relief. They were happy that they could continue serving their country. Talbott, a platoon leader in the U. S. Army Reserve, said that the ruling was a "tremendous step forward. " Vandal, a field artillery officer, was glad she could keep providing for her family while serving.The judge's decision was not just about this one policy. It was about a broader issue of equality in the military. The judge pointed out that throughout history, the military has used concerns about readiness and effectiveness to exclude marginalized groups. This includes minorities, women in combat roles, and gay individuals. However, the military has only grown stronger by including these groups. The judge acknowledged that the military leadership should be deferred to in many matters. However, she said that following the Pentagon's policy in this case would be blind obedience. The Pentagon had not provided concrete evidence to support their policy. Instead, they had relied on conjecture and assumptions. The judge's decision is not the end of the story. The Trump administration could appeal the ruling. However, for now, transgender service members can continue to serve without fear of being separated from the military. The fight for equality in the military is ongoing. There are currently 4, 240 active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve service members who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. These individuals deserve the same respect and gratitude as any other service member. The judge's decision is a step forward in recognizing this.