Trump’s Transgender Military Ban Remains Blocked Despite New Decision Dissolving One of Four Nationwide Preliminary Injunctions

Decision is “a devastating slap in the face to transgender service members who have proved their fitness to serve and their dedication to this country”; plaintiffs vow to continue to fight

Washington, DC—The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit today ruled against transgender service members, lifting the district court’s order preventing the Trump administration from enforcing its ban on military service by transgender people in Doe v. Trump.

Despite today’s decision, three nationwide preliminary injunctions halting the ban remain in effect blocking the ban while the cases proceed in the federal district courts. In addition, as the D.C. Circuit noted “today’s decision is not a final determination on the merits,” and the case will continue in the district court.

“Today’s ruling is a devastating slap in the face to transgender service members who have proved their fitness to serve and their dedication to this country,” said Shannon Minter, Direktè Legal NCLR a. “We will keep fighting this cruel and irrational policy, which serves no purpose other than to weaken the military and punish transgender service members for their patriotism and service.”

“Today’s decision is based on the absurd idea that forcing transgender people to suppress who they are in order to serve is not a ban,” said GLAD Transgender Rights Project Director Jennifer Levi. “It ignores the reality of transgender people’s lives, with devastating consequences, and rests on a complete failure to understand who transgender people are. It is also destabilizing to the military to so dramatically reverse a policy that has been in place for over 2 years that senior military officials acknowledge has operated with no problems.”

Bichon fi, the first legal challenge filed in opposition to Trump’s transgender military ban, was filed by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) and is one of their two lawsuits challenging the ban.

For more information, go to NCLR and GLAD’s website outlining the history and status of the Trump-Pence transgender military ban at https://notransmilitaryban.org/.

NCLR ak GLAD te nan sant batay legal la pou konteste entèdiksyon militè transganr Trump-Pence a depi yo te depoze l. Doe kont Trump, premye nan kat ka yo te depoze kont entèdiksyon an, nan dat 9 out 2017.

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Atravè litij estratejik, defans politik piblik, ak edikasyon, Avoka ak defansè legal GLBTQ yo works in New England and nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation. www.GLAD.org

The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) was the first national LGBTQ legal organization founded by women and brings a fierce, longstanding commitment to racial and economic justice and our community’s most vulnerable. Since 1977, we have been at the forefront of advancing the civil and human rights of LGBTQ people and their families through impact litigation, public policy, and public education. Decades ago, NCLR launched the first LGBTQ Immigration Project, Transgender Rights Project, Youth Project, Elder Law Project, and began working to end conversion therapy through what is now our Born Perfect campaign. www.nclrights.org

Trump Asks SCOTUS to Intervene Now and Allow Implementation of His Trans Military Ban

Lakay » Nasyonal/Federal » Page 38

Trump Asks Supreme Court to Intervene Now and Implement the Transgender Military Ban—Even Though Four Federal Courts Have Blocked It
Attempting to leap frog the ordinary appeals process, the Trump Administration quietly files petitions for cert before judgment over holiday weekend

Washington, D.C.—The Trump Administration filed petitions for cert before judgment today in three cases challenging Trump’s transgender military ban: Doe v. Trump, Stockman v. Trump, epi Karnoski v. Trump. The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), who represent plaintiffs in both Bichon fi epi Stockman and were the first to challenge the ban, characterized the filing as an unusual attempt by the administration to bypass the standard appeals process.

There are four lawsuits in total challenging the transgender military ban, and all four federal courts to hear these cases have issued preliminary injunctions halting the ban from moving forward while the case is being heard in court. In issuing the preliminary injunctions, the courts each determined that the plaintiffs challenging the ban—who include current servicemembers, ROTC and military academy students and enlistees—would ultimately prevail. If the Supreme Court were to grant the administration’s request, it would consider this term whether to lift the injunction while the cases proceed in the lower courts. Excluding transgender people who meet military standards undermines readiness and would dramatically upend the lives and families of thousands of trans servicemembers and enlistees, and disrupt the military as a whole.

“There is no urgency here and no reason for the Court to weigh in at this juncture,” said Jennifer Levi, Direktè Pwojè Dwa Transjan GLAD la. “The injunctions preserve the status quo of the open service policy that was thoroughly vetted by the military itself and has been in place now for more than two years. This is simply one more attempt by a reckless Trump administration to push through a discriminatory policy. The policy flies in the face of military research and dozens of top military experts.”

“The great majority of people in this country recognize that transgender people who can meet the same standards as others should have an equal opportunity to serve,” said Shannon Minter, Direktè Legal NCLR. Allowing President Trump’s ban to be implemented would upend thousands of lives and weaken our Armed Forces.”

“As Americans come together and give thanks for the sacrifices made by our brave servicemembers and their families, the Trump-Pence Administration is focused on undermining our military by tripling down on this discriminatory ban,” said Rick Zbur, Executive Director of Equality California which brought the Stockman case on behalf its members. “There are thousands of transgender service members bravely serving the nation with distinction. The Administration ought to be thanking them for their service—not trying to score political points by purging them from our military.”

Oral argument in Doe kont Trump is currently scheduled to be held on December 10 in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

For more information, go to NCLR and GLAD’s website outlining the history and status of the Trump-Pence transgender military ban https://notransmilitaryban.org/.

ANTESÈN

30 jen 2016Depatman Defans Etazini (DOD) te adopte yon règleman ki pèmèt moun transganr sèvi nan lame a, baze sou yon revizyon DOD ki te fè prèske dezan epi ki te detèmine ke pa te gen okenn rezon valab pou eskli pèsonèl kalifye nan sèvis militè a tou senpleman paske yo se transganr.

26 Jiyè 2017Prezidan Trump te tweete ke "Gouvènman Etazini an pap aksepte oswa pèmèt moun transganr sèvi nan okenn kapasite nan Lame Ameriken an."

9 Out 2017NCLR ak GLAD te depoze Doe kont Trump, premye pwosè yo te depoze pou sispann entèdiksyon an, pou konteste konstitisyonalite li epi pou mande tribinal la pou l bay yon òd preliminè nan tout peyi a pou anpeche l pran efè pandan y ap tande ka a nan tribinal.

25 Out 2017Prezidan Trump te pibliye yon memorandòm ki te bay Sekretè Defans James Mattis lòd pou soumèt "yon plan pou aplike" entèdiksyon an anvan 21 fevriye 2018. Sekretè Mattis te remèt plan sa a ("Plan Mattis" la ak rapò panèl la) bay Prezidan Trump nan dat 22 fevriye 2018.

30 Oktòb 2017Tribinal Distri Etazini pou Distri Kolonbi a te deside ke Doe kont Trump Demandan yo te etabli yon chans pou reyisi sou reklamasyon yo a ki di entèdiksyon Prezidan Trump la vyole pwoteksyon egal, ke demandan yo t ap sibi yon domaj ireparab san yon òd preliminè pou sispann entèdiksyon an, epi ke enterè piblik la ak balans difikilte yo te peze an favè akòde yon soulajman òdinè epi sispann entèdiksyon an tanporèman pandan tribinal la ap tande ka a.

23 mas 2018Prezidan Trump aksepte "Plan Mattis" la epi li pibliye yon memorandòm kote li "revoke" Memorandòm 25 out li a.

20 avril 2018Defandè yo depoze yon mosyon pou anile òd preliminè nasyonal la ki te pase 30 oktòb la ki te entèdi moun transganr yo nan sèvis militè ke Tribinal Distri Etazini pou Distri Columbia a te bay; yon mosyon pou rejte Dezyèm Plent Modifye Demandè yo; ak yon Mosyon pou Jijman Somè.

11 me 2018Demandan yo depoze mosyon kont-mosyon yo pou jijman somè, ansanm ak mosyon opozisyon ak mosyon Defandè a pou anile enjonksyon an epi rejte plent Demandan yo.

6 Out 2018: Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly denies Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss and Motion to Dissolve the Preliminary Injunction.

August 27, 2018: Defendants filed a notice of appeal to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals of Judge Kollar-Kotelly’s denial of their motion to dissolve the preliminary injunction preventing enforcement of the transgender military ban.

September 21, 2018: The Defendants-Appellants filed their opening brief in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

October 22, 2018: Plaintiffs-Appellees filed their opposition to Defendants’ appeal, asking the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to leave in place the preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the transgender military ban.

October 29, 2018: A wide array of former military leaders, veterans’ and civil rights organizations, women’s groups, military scholars and historians, and states went on record opposing President Trump’s ongoing efforts to exclude transgender people from military service, in thirteen friend-of-the-court briefs filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

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Egalite Kalifòni se pi gwo òganizasyon dwa sivil LGBTQ nan tout eta a. Nou pote vwa moun LGBTQ yo ak alye yo nan enstitisyon ki gen pouvwa nan Kalifòni ak atravè Etazini, n ap fè efò pou kreye yon mond ki an sante, jis, epi ki totalman egal pou tout moun LGBTQ yo. Nou fè pwogrè nan dwa sivil ak jistis sosyal lè nou enspire, defann epi mobilize atravè yon mouvman enklizif ki travay san pran souf pou moun n ap sèvi yo. www.EQCA.org

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Lakay » Nasyonal/Federal » Page 38

Ben Klein, Direktè Pwojè Lwa GLAD sou SIDA, reflechi sou kijan sa te ye lè l te resevwa apèl telefonik ki te vle di li t apral plede devan Lakou Siprèm Etazini an, nan yon ka ki gen konsekans ki chanje lavi moun k ap viv ak VIH ak SIDA.

Se te Mèkredi anvan Jou Aksyon de Gras nan mwa Novanm 1997, yon jou trankil nan travay. Gary Buseck, nan twazyèm semèn li kòm nouvo Direktè Egzekitif GLAD, te deside fèmen biwo a a 3:00 p.m. Gary, lòt anplwaye GLAD yo, epi mwen te chita nan sal konferans lan lè resepsyonis la te antre epi li te lage sa a sou mwen: "Ben, grefye Lakou Siprèm Etazini an ap pale avè w nan telefòn."

Kounye a ke mwen se yon veteran GLAD ki gen 24 an, mwen te konsidere tèt mwen toujou nouvo lè sa a nan twa zan epi yon apèl konsa pa janm yon bagay òdinè.

Lakou Siprèm nan akòde sètifika epi li aksepte epi li tande sèlman anviwon 80 ka chak ane. Se sèlman yon lòt ka GLAD – ki konsène dwa yon gwoup LGBT Irlandè-Ameriken pou mache nan Parad Jou Sen Patri nan Boston – ki te rive jis nan Lakou Siprèm nan. Mwen te panse chans mwen te genyen pou m defann yon ka devan Lakou a te apeprè menm jan ak lè m t ap fè wonn baz yo nan Fenway Park.

Mwen te pran telefòn nan la menm nan sal konferans lan, twò nève pou m te pran tan pou m retounen nan biwo mwen. Mwen te konnen sa m t apral tande. Epi mwen te konprann konsekans yo. M ap admèt mwen t ap tranble yon ti kras. Grefye a te di, “Mesye Klein, mwen vle enfòme w ke Tribinal la te akòde sètifika nan ka a.” Bragdon kont Abbott."Nan moman sa a anvan Twitter, anvan telefòn selilè, se sèlman avoka a ak repòtè yo nan Tribinal la ki te konnen."

Nan Bragdon, nou te reprezante Sidney Abbott, yon fanm nan Maine ke dantis Bangor, Maine, Dr. Randon Bragdon, te refize tretman paske li t ap viv ak VIH. Nou te diskite ke Lwa Ameriken sou Andikap yo (ADA, ki te pase an 1990) ki te relativman nouvo a te pwoteje Sidney ak tout lòt moun ki gen VIH kont diskriminasyon epi ke dantis ak doktè pa t ka refize bay swen sante paske yo te pè pou yo pa trape VIH. GLAD te pouswiv ka sa a paske nou te konnen ke ADA a te kapab bay pwoteksyon pwisan pou moun k ap viv ak VIH ak SIDA, moun ki te fè fas ak diskriminasyon sevè nan prèske tout domèn lavi nan moman sa a.

Nou te genyen ka a nan tribinal federal la nan Bangor, Maine. Epi nou te genyen ankò nan Tribinal Apèl Etazini an. Pifò moun te panse sa t ap lafen wout la – yon presedan solid.

Nan moman sa a, Lakou Siprèm nan pa t konsidere okenn ka ADA e okenn ka ki gen rapò ak VIH oswa SIDA. Pifò obsèvatè yo te panse pa t gen okenn fason pou Lakou a tande ka sa a. Lè m te di papa m ke m t ap travay sou yon ka ki ta ka rive nan Lakou Siprèm nan, li te eksprime yon gwo sans dout paternal. Men, li pa t lwen sa pifò moun te panse.

Kounye a, sa te rive. Mwen te rele ko-avoka mwen an. Mwen te rele kliyan mwen an. Epi, paske nouvèl yo pa t ap fè gwo rafale toupatou nan mond lan atravè entènèt la, mwen te konnen mwen te dwe rele repòtè yo. Nan epòk sa a kote pèsonèl te piti anpil ak lajan te sere, avoka GLAD yo te fè tout travay laprès yo poukont yo. Nou te fè yon bon travay, men nou te dekouvri sa sou plas san ekspètiz kominikasyon nou menm ak lòt òganizasyon LGBTQ yo genyen kounye a. Nan premye mwa mwen nan GLAD an 1994, mwen te rele Delta Airlines nan tribinal paske li te retire yon pasaje ki gen SIDA nan yon vòl. Mwen te òganize yon konferans pou laprès. Mwen pa t gen okenn lide reyèl sou sa pou m fè, donk mwen te jis aji tankou moun mwen te wè nan televizyon yo. Tout bagay te pase byen.

Ben Klein speaking at press

Erezman, yon manm konsèy administrasyon GLAD ki te travay nan maketing te fouye davans kèk nimewo telefòn dirèk pou repòtè Lakou Siprèm yo. Donk, mwen te rele Linda Greenhouse, Nouyòk Times repòtè ki te genyen yon Pri Pulitzer ane apre a pou pwoteksyon li te fè sou Tribinal la. Ansanm ak anpil avoka, mwen te respekte li pou konpreyansyon li sou Tribinal la ak kapasite enkonparab li pou eksplike konsèp legal bay piblik la an jeneral avèk presizyon. Li te pran telefòn li, li te trè janti, epi li te reponn wi lè mwen te di, "Bonjou. Non mwen se Ben Klein epi mwen gen yon ka ke Tribinal Siprèm nan fèk pran jodi a. Èske ou ta renmen yon sitasyon nan men mwen?" Ou ka toujou li istwa li isit la, epi gade pou tèt ou sa ou panse de sitasyon mwen te ba li jou sa a.

Epi apre sa, mwen te rele papa m epi mwen te di l mwen t ap travay sou yon ka ki t apral nan Lakou Siprèm nan vre epi li te ka li tout bagay sou li nan Nouyòk Times demen.

Jodi a, pandan m ap kontinye travay sou nouvo dosye nan GLAD ki gen potansyèl pou chanje lalwa, mwen souvan panse nan tèt mwen: nenpòt ka ka rezoud, epi nenpòt ka ka fini nan Lakou Siprèm. Ou jis pa konnen.

M ap toujou sonje apèl telefòn sa a. Li chanje lavi m, epi sa ki pi enpòtan, li chanje sitiyasyon legal moun k ap viv ak VIH yo. Mwen te pran yon long wikenn pou m repoze. Apre sa, pa t gen repo pandan yon bon bout tan.

Avètisman: Nou te genyen – yon viktwa enpòtan pou konbat diskriminasyon ki gen rapò ak VIH nan travay, lojman ak swen sante. Men, sa se yon lòt istwa GLAD.

Koute Ben Klein k ap pale sou ka enpòtan sa a nan podcast nou an: Yon Moman Chanjman Kilti: Bragdon kont Abbott ak Diskriminasyon VIH

Trump’s Plan to Limit Asylum Applications Is Illegal, Un-American, and Puts Lives at Risk

Lakay » Nasyonal/Federal » Page 38

Statement of Janson Wu, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders Executive Director:

President Trump’s announcement that he will restrict asylum applications from individuals crossing the U.S.-Mexico border is unacceptable and flies in the face of settled international and national laws.

Asylum is a life-saving system that is designed precisely to protect the extremely vulnerable. This heartless policy stands in direct opposition to our core American ideals of liberty and human rights. Cutting off the right to seek asylum puts at severe risk individuals, including LGBTQ individuals, who face substantial threats in their home countries.

By turning away those forced to flee places where they are fundamentally unsafe because of who they are, or their political beliefs, this administration is putting their lives at risk.

Votè MA yo konfime pwoteksyon pou moun transganr yo, apwouve kesyon nimewo 3 sou bilten vòt la

Lakay » Nasyonal/Federal » Page 38

Deklarasyon Janson Wu ak Jennifer Levi

Avoka ak defansè legal GLBTQ yo

Yè votè nan Massachusetts yo te vote "wi" ak yon gwo fò won sou Kesyon 3 sou bilten vòt la, pou afime dwa moun transjèn ak moun ki pa konfòm ak sèks yo.

“Vòt sa a montre kè ak fòs votè Massachusetts yo ak kominote transganr Commonwealth la,” te di Janson Wu, Direktè Egzekitif GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD). “Sa a te yon kanpay ki te vrèman entelijan e byen dirije, alimenté pa plizyè milye volontè ak sipòtè. Moun transganr yo, ansanm ak anpil manm fanmi, vwazen ak alye, te mete tout bagay an danje, pataje istwa pèsonèl, fè konvèsasyon reyèl ak votè yo, epi travay anpil èdtan, mwa apre mwa. Nou vrèman fyè jodi a.”

Jennifer Levi, Direktè Pwojè Dwa Transjan GLAD la, te di “Verite a se ke fè kanpay pou dwa nou yo epi pwouve limanite nou te yon travay di epi li te gen yon enpak fizik ak emosyonèl sou anpil manm nan kominote nou an. Siksè kanpay la te repoze sou moun ki t ap pale de reyalite lavi yo ak lavi moun yo renmen, sipòte, epi depann sou yo. Vòt enpòtan yè a montre sa ki posib lè nou travay ansanm epi nou kanpe youn pou lòt.”

Vòt sa a make premye fwa nan listwa nasyon nou an ke dwa transganr yo te respekte nan yon bilten vòt nan tout eta a epi yo te siveye l ak anpil atansyon atravè peyi a. "Anpil travay devan nou," Levi te di, "men viktwa istorik sa a bay moun transganr yo ak tout moun ki gen lespri jis toupatou espwa, epi li ankouraje nou pandan n ap kontinye avanse ansanm."

GLAD, yon manm komite egzekitif kanpay Wi sou 3 a, te dirije efò pou pase pwoteksyon kont diskriminasyon transganr nan tout New England, tankou lwa Massachusetts la ki te konfime pa vòt sa a, epi li te plede ka dwa transganr inovatè tankou de defi aktyèl kont entèdiksyon administrasyon Trump la sou manm transganr nan militè a. Doe kont Trump epi Stockman kont Trump.

Komite egzekitif kanpay Freedom for All Massachusetts/Yes On 3 la te konpoze de òganizasyon lokal ak nasyonal, tankou ACLU Massachusetts, BAGLY (Boston Alliance of Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Youth), Fenway Health, Freedom for All Americans, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), Greater Boston PFLAG, Human Rights Campaign, Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, ak MassEquality.

Nouvèl

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Today we are celebrating an incredible, historic win for equality, for love, and for freedom.

Massachusetts said YES on Question 3, upholding full, critical nondiscrimination protections for transgender people in public places –affirming that dignity and respect for all are non-negotiable values in the Bay State.

This vote means the law we fought so long and hard for in the Massachusetts legislature is there for good. It means that transgender people across Massachusetts can continue going about their daily lives just like everyone else – knowing they are fully protected from discrimination.

This vote also sends a powerful message across the country: transgender rights are human rights, and we won’t turn back the clock on equality for all.

Thank you!

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I’m asking you – if you are eligible and able – please vote tomorrow, November 6.

Voting is how we show our collective strength: as LGBTQ people and allies; as people who care about fairness and justice. It is as crucial to securing equality, safety, and dignity as does the litigation and advocacy work you help GLAD do every day.

So many of our communities have been under attack for the last two years.

GLAD will continue to fight discriminatory policies, whether at the federal or state level, with every tool we have.

But you also have a potent tool with which to fight these injustices: your vote.

Voting influences whether those in power listen to our concerns or ignore us completely. It is about whether hostile, divisive agendas are allowed to gain and maintain traction in our public policy and discourse.

Voting determines who gets appointed to our judiciary, which can have profound consequences for LGBTQ rights, access to healthcare, justice for victims of over-policing, and even who gets to vote.

Voting determines who sets the policy agenda and who gets the bully pulpit, both of which affect states and the national conversation. Every day we see and hear how much that matters

If you care about LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, the rights of immigrants, reproductive freedom, and racial justice; if you’re disturbed about the rise in xenophobia, and white supremacist hate and violence; if you worry about gun violence affecting your kids; or if you just want to feel as though your government could be on your side, instead of putting a target on your back, you must vote.

Despite the grim headlines of late, the reality is that Americans who believe in fairness and dignity for all outnumber those that don’t.

Now, more than ever, we need every one of us who believes in justice to make our voices heard on election day.

Retired Military Officers and Surgeons General, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Service Women’s Action Network, NAACP, the Korematsu Center, Military Historians, National Women’s Law Center, 19 States, and Others Go on Record Opposing Trans Military Ban

Lakay » Nasyonal/Federal » Page 38

Washington, D.C.—A wide array of former military leaders, veterans’ and civil rights organizations, women’s groups, military scholars and historians, and states have gone on record opposing President Trump’s ongoing efforts to exclude transgender people from military service. Groups and individuals filed thirteen friend-of-the-court briefs supporting the plaintiffs in Doe kont Trump in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The case was filed by the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) and was the first lawsuit to challenge the Trump-Pence transgender military ban and secured the first preliminary injunction halting the ban while the case is heard in court.

A friend-of-the-court brief is filed by non-parties to a case who have expertise to offer and a strong interest in the subject matter of the litigation.

“Our nation’s most respected former military leaders are going on record to oppose this destructive and irrational ban. They are telling the court that excluding qualified individuals simply because they are transgender harms military recruitment and retention and contradicts foundational military values of loyalty, duty, respect, integrity and honor,” said Shannon Minter, Direktè Legal NCLR a.

“The briefs submitted by these experts explain why the transgender military ban weakens our present and future military. These also provide a historical lens, demonstrating that just like the ban on women in combat, and racial segregation of servicemembers, the transgender military ban must be relegated to the dustbin of history,” said GLAD Transgender Rights Project Director Jennifer Levi.

Key arguments include:

A compelling brief from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Service Women’s Action Network, NYC Veterans Alliance and others, spotlights military heroes who would have been excluded from service if prior discriminatory regulations had remained in effect:

“Consider where our military would be today if past categorical bans and limits on service had not been lifted. We would likely have seen no Gen. Colin Powell, the first African American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. We would likely have seen no Lt. Gen. Susan Helms, the first female Air Force officer to venture into space as part of the crew of the space shuttle Endeavor. We would likely have seen no Brig. Gen. Tammy Smith, the first openly LGB general in U.S. Army history. And if the Transgender Ban is allowed to stand, we will likely never know what future heroes our country has passed over, including potentially the very plaintiffs in this case.”

Another brief authored by the Truman Center, Minority Veterans of America, and others presents first-person accounts by servicemembers and veterans about how the diverse experiences of servicemembers strengthens the military, including this quote from a Marine veteran:

“The most effective units I saw were those that had people with different perspectives who could think about how to solve a problem in a way you never thought of. When I was in the Middle East I wanted a unit comprised of a variety of people, that way I knew that when a problem occurred, and one always occurred, we would be thinking about how to tackle it from all the angles. All I, and my team cared about, was how do we solve the problem.”

*To access a description of and link to the full brief for each of the 13 amicus briefs filed, klike la a

ANTESÈN

26 Jiyè 2017Prezidan Trump te tweete ke "Gouvènman Etazini an pap aksepte oswa pèmèt moun transganr sèvi nan okenn kapasite nan Lame Ameriken an."

9 Out 2017: NCLR and GLAD, with cooperating counsel from WilmerHale and Foley Hoag LLP, filed Doe kont Trump—the first lawsuit filed to stop the ban, challenging its constitutionality and seeking a nationwide preliminary injunction to stop it from taking effect while the case is heard in court.

25 Out 2017: President Trump issued a memorandum ordering Secretary of Defense James Mattis to submit “a plan for implementing” the ban by March 23, 2018.

23 mas 2018: The implementation plan developed by Secretary Mattis (“Implementation Plan”) was released to the public and endorsed by President Trump.

20 avril 2018: Based on the Implementation Plan, the government filed a motion to dissolve the October 30 nationwide preliminary injunction enjoining the transgender military ban issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, a motion to dismiss Plaintiffs’ Second Amended Complaint, and a motion for Summary Judgment.

11 me 2018: Plaintiffs filed their cross-motion for summary judgment, as well as motions opposing Defendant’s motions to dissolve the injunction and dismiss Plaintiffs’ complaint.

6 Out 2018: Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly denied Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss and Motion to Dissolve the Preliminary Injunction

September 21, 2018: The Defendants-Appellants filed their opening brief in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

December 10, 2018: Oral argument is scheduled at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

For more information, go to NCLR and GLAD’s website outlining the history and status of the Trump-Pence transgender military ban https://notransmilitaryban.org/.

Nouvèl

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Response to New York Times Report of Trump Administration’s Latest Move Against Transgender People

Statement of GLAD Transgender Rights Project Director Jennifer Levi

Today’s Nouyòk Times report that the Trump Administration is considering a proposal to define the word “sex” for legal purposes in a way that deliberately excludes transgender people is one more example of this administration’s disregard of human rights and its heartless political strategy of attacking the most vulnerable among us.

The reactionary policies of this administration have caused and will cause too many to suffer. But staying focused on the changes that our community, friends, and allies have so bravely brought about through our advocacy, our words, and our deeds, sustains me. It informs my firm belief that the callousness of this administration is an aberration. We will persist, justice will win out, and this challenging moment will not define our country’s future.

This reported move is in conflict with the approach of both federal and state courts and government agencies in interpreting laws prohibiting sex discrimination. Even though the administration is working hard to delegitimize the federal judiciary upon which so many civil rights advancements have depended, we know that justice means justice for all. GLAD will never back down from pursuing protections and challenging unconstitutional laws and policies in the courts.

But just as importantly, the ideology being pushed by this administration is contrary to the beliefs and vision of countless leaders in education, business, medical and scientific communities, and among political leaders who have been willing to work across the aisle when rights and safety have been at stake. It also stands in stark contrast with the lives and experience of transgender people, our families, friends, neighbors and coworkers, all across this great nation.

The bottom line is that this administration has a transparent, callous, political agenda – and it is willing to undermine our most fundamental institutions to pursue it. We have seen this at work everywhere from the military – where Trump continues to pursue his ban on transgender troops despite its proven negative impact on military readiness and vocal opposition from military leaders – to the arenas of education, employment, and healthcare. It is a toxic agenda, dangerous to us all.

This administration continues to act rashly and in mean-spirited ways. But we have the power to counter it. We are strong and resilient. We will not back down and cannot be erased. We will continue telling the truth about our lives, treating one another with compassion, and fighting for justice. It is imperative that we act now, avèk our collective power, to stand up for what is right. We have an opportunity on November 6 to voice our values, to support candidates who believe in fairness, and reject those who use human beings as political pawns.

In Massachusetts, we face a critical vote – one that offers the chance to affirm the dignity and humanity of transgender people and to uphold the value of treating one another with respect. How Massachusetts votes on Question 3 will impact the direction de our nation. I am hopeful that the people in my home state will vote Yes on 3 pou preserve the transgender civil rights law which we fought so long and so hard to pass. I am optimistic that we will demonstrate, once again, that the cruel agenda of a few does not reflect the will of We, the People.

The reactionary policies of this administration have caused and will cause too many to suffer. But staying focused on the changes that our community, friends, and allies have so bravely brought about through our advocacy, our words, and our deeds, sustains me. It informs my firm belief that the callousness of this administration is an aberration. We will persist, justice will win out, and this challenging moment will not define our country’s future.

Nouvèl

Lakay » Nasyonal/Federal » Page 38

GLAD joined The Wilderness Society and over eighty organizations to send a letter today to the National Park Service opposing the proposed “protest fee” for demonstrations on the national mall.

In August, the National Park Service issued a proposed rule to introduce fees for holding protests on the National Mall.

We are deeply concerned that this proposal would infringe on Americans’ rights to free speech and assembly. The financial barrier would preclude equal opportunity and access, dissuading and prohibiting some Americans from demonstrating. The ability to afford fees for permits must not be a factor in who gets the opportunity to protest at our most iconic and politically significant sites. We are part of a broad coalition of opposition spanning lots of issue areas because free speech and assembly matter for all issues.

This letter of opposition (see below) was submitted with more than 80 organizations signing on to defend protest rights on the National Mall. We encourage individuals to submit comments on the proposal isit la through Monday, October 15^yèm.

Kontak:

Hannah Malvin, Senior Representative for Partnerships, The Wilderness Society | The Wilderness Society Action Fund, 202-429-3941, hannah_malvin@tws.org.

Michael Reinemer, 202-429-3949, michael_reinemer@tws.org

October 15, 2018

Mr. Brian Joyner, Chief of Staff, National Mall and Memorial Parks

National Park Service

900 Ohio Drive SW, Washington, DC 20024

Dear Mr. Joyner:

We write to express our deep concern over proposed rulemaking RIN 1024-AE45, issued August 7, 2018, which would revise the National Park Service’s protest permitting process regarding demonstrations at the National Mall, Memorial Parks, and President’s Park.

This proposal would infringe on Americans’ rights to free speech and assembly. Forcing Americans to pay to lawfully assemble at our most iconic and politically significant sites places a financial barrier that precludes equal opportunity and access, dissuading and prohibiting Americans from demonstrating. The ability to afford fees for permits must not be a factor in who gets the opportunity to protest on these public lands. Introducing fees for First Amendment demonstrations would represent an overwhelming departure from American values.

We strongly urge you to revise the proposed rule and maintain access to vibrant, participatory democracy for all Americans regardless of socioeconomic status or support from wealthy donors. Protesting is a cornerstone of American democracy. The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech … or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Over centuries, Americans have come together from near and far and lifted their voices, from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech advancing the civil rights movement to the 2017 Women’s March, the largest demonstration in American history. Americans have cried out signifying ardent diversity of thought on a wide variety of issues spanning from war and peace to the economy, the environment, civil rights, human rights, and more. There is a fundamental personal dignity in protest—the insistence that one’s voice matters. Protesting is also a patriotic act, as Americans show up to help steer the path of our country. As we work to fulfill the promise of this country, we must never restrict access to the public lands surrounding its halls of power.

Thank you for your commitment to preserving our cultural history and natural resources. As you work to manage an increase in requests for permits and maintain your commitment to preserving visitor experience, resource protection, and public safety, we trust you will reconsider this proposal and ensure that the right of all Americans to express their beliefs in our nation’s capital will be safeguarded.

Sensèman,

American Hiking Society

American Library Association

American Public Health Association

Americans for Financial Reform

Anti-Defamation League

Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF)

Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education Professionals

Association of Research Libraries

Alye Atlèt

The Avarna Group

Bend the Arc

Bold Alliance

Brown Environmentalist

Brown People Camping

Californians for Western Wilderness

Campaign for Accountability

Catharsis on the Mall

Chesapeake Climate Action Network

Church of Scientology National Affairs Office

Citizen’s Climate Lobby

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)

Common Cause

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

CREDO

Defend Our Future

Defending Rights & Dissent

Democracy for America

Diverse Environmental Leaders

Dogwood Alliance

Earth Ethics

Earthjustice

Earthwise Productions

Endangered Species Coalition

Environmental Defense Fund

Friends of the Earth US

Avoka ak Defansè Legal GLBTQ (GLAD)

Government Accountability Project

Green Muslims

GreenLatinos

Hip Hop Caucus

Hipcamp

Hispanic Access Foundation

Hispanic Federation

Kanpay Dwa Moun

Human Rights Watch

Interfaith Power & Light

Jews United for Justice

Lambda Legal

Latino Outdoors

League of Conservation Voters

Lig Fanm Votè Etazini yo

MoveOn

NAACP

NARAL Pro-Choice America

National Black Justice Coalition

Sant Nasyonal pou Dwa Lesbyèn yo

National Coalition Against Censorship

National Council of Jewish Women

National Employment Law Project

National Equality Action Team (NEAT)

National Federation of the Blind

National Juvenile Justice Network

Gwoup Travay Nasyonal LGBTQ

National Resources Defense Council

Sant Nasyonal pou Lwa Fanm yo

New Mexico Voices for Children

Next 100 Coalition

Oceana

Oil Change International

Outdoor Muslims

Patagonia

People For the American Way Foundation

Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Praxis Project

Project On Government Oversight

Public Citizen

SAGE

SEIU

Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network (SIREN)

Sierra Club

Sant Lwa sou Povrete Sid la

Transforming Youth Outdoors

Veterans For Peace

The Wilderness Society

Win Without War

Women’s March