September 19, 2019

Palm Center Releases Comprehensive Voter Guide to 2020 Democratic Candidate Positions on Transgender Military Service

On the Eve of Friday Night’s First 2020 LGBTQ Forum, Guide Details Public Comments Since Trump Announced Reinstatement of Ban

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In advance of the first LGBTQ-related forum of the 2020 presidential season, scheduled to take place tomorrow night in Iowa, the Palm Center has released a comprehensive voter guide outlining where the current Democratic candidates stand on transgender military service.

Click here to view the full list of 2020 Democratic presidential candidate positions on transgender military service

 

The guide contains statements that the Democratic candidates have made about their positions on military service by transgender Americans since March 12th, 2019, the date the Trump administration announced it would reinstate a transgender military ban. It includes statements by all the declared Democratic candidates either in writing or as reported by a news outlet. The candidates are listed alphabetically, with the most recent statements listed first. The document is regularly updated.

“The next commander in chief will have to immediately address Trump’s transgender military ban, which continues to degrade our national security and disrespects the patriotic service of transgender Americans,” said Palm Center director Aaron Belkin. “We look forward to hearing the 2020 Democratic candidates outline their plans tomorrow night on how they will reinstate the successful policy of inclusive service, which was in place for nearly three years.”

Two recent polls, by Gallup and Quinnipiac, found that around 70% of respondents favor allowing transgender Americans to serve in the military. The Palm Center earlier this year released a graphic correcting the Pentagon’s misleading claims about its transgender ban.