Twitter was flooded with support for the LGBTQ community on Wednesday morning, following President Donald Trump’s announcement ― also via Twitter ― that transgender people will not be allowed to serve in the U.S. military.
Trump tweeted that he’d made the decision after “consultation with my Generals and military experts,” citing “medical costs and disruption” as his reasoning for the decision.
After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
....Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
There are currently thousands of transgender individuals bravely serving in the armed forces and there has been no indication thus far as to what will happen to those individuals under Trump’s new ban.
People added their responses on Twitter, offering words of encouragement to the transgender community. Members of the LGBTQ community, allies, congressmen, and more have also commented on Trump’s complete lack of bravery, in contrast with the individuals he’s banning who have shown nothing but bravery, courage, and patriotism. (Trump deferred being drafted five times.)
Here were some of the most impassioned responses:
Every single trans person is braver than Donald Trump
— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) July 26, 2017
Trans people are real people with worth who are not a burden and a troll in a bad suit with tiny hands & a tiny mind doesn't change that.
— Jon Risinger (@JonRisinger) July 26, 2017
Every patriotic American who is qualified to serve in our military should be able to serve. Full stop.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 26, 2017
Gender reassignment surgery: $100,000
— jordan 🌹🌹 (@JordanUhl) July 26, 2017
The (inoperable) Lockheed Martin F-35: $1,500,000,000,000
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
We’re appalled by #Trump’s comments on #trans in US army - deeply offensive and plain wrong. Solidarity with our trans siblings in the US. pic.twitter.com/GwcnF3OXxd
— Stonewall (@stonewalluk) July 26, 2017
69 years ago, President Truman desegregated the US Military. This morning, @POTUS turned anti-#trans prejudice into policy.
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) July 26, 2017
You are dishonoring people who, unlike you, actually donned the uniform to serve their nation.
— Vets Against Trump (@Vets_Vs_Trump) July 26, 2017
so, biggest baddest most $$ military on earth cries about a few trans people 😩 but funds the F-35? 😑 sounds like cowardice 😎💕🌈 #WeGotThis
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
Coward Trump bans military service by trans men and women who AREN'T cowards.
— fraudfeasor (@fraudfeasor) July 26, 2017
.@realDonaldTrump, meet Kristin Beck, former Navy SEAL Team 6. She's trans. She's got a bronze star, purple heart & more courage than most. pic.twitter.com/qiSvdL7V6k
— Miles Kahn (@mileskahn) July 26, 2017
The president just went on Twitter to attack 15,000 trans service members who are risking their lives to protect our freedom. How brave.
— Mark Takano (@RepMarkTakano) July 26, 2017
In 2016, Trump told the LGBT community, "I will fight for you."
— Nick Jack Pappas (@Pappiness) July 26, 2017
Now, they're no longer allowed to fight for us.
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
I served on active duty in the U.S. Military. Exclusion of Transgender Americans by @POTUS is not based on facts, it is based on bigotry. https://t.co/DgURRGnMVu
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) July 26, 2017
shameful that trans folk are being used as scapegoats in another non-issue (military, bathrooms, etc) to distract from your shortcomings.
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) July 26, 2017
I would never have the guts to fight on the front lines for this country, so thank you to the transgender individuals that do.
— Abbi Crutchfield (@curlycomedy) July 26, 2017
Trump chooses bigotry over security. Shutting out transgender Americans who want to serve our country makes us less safe, not safer.
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) July 26, 2017
Donald Trump wants trans people to be miserable because it plays great for politics. Stay focused. Stay above it. Feel it all.
— Robyn Kanner (@robynkanner) July 26, 2017
Capitalism is a rich boy who got to stay home from the Vietnam War to go to business school telling trans people they can't serve.
— Dan Ozzi (@danozzi) July 26, 2017
Keep on showing your support, all. Our trans friends need it now more than ever.
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