Norton Urges Expeditious Lifting of the Ban on Transgender Americans Serving in the Military

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a former chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, today released the following statement on the Pentagon's plan to establish a working group aimed at lifting the ban on transgender individuals serving openly in the military.

"I applaud Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and the Department of Defense for taking a critical step toward ensuring that all Americans can serve and defend their country openly, regardless of their gender or gender identity. In 2010, when Democrats were in control of the House, I had the vote on the House floor in the Committee of the Whole. One of the proudest and most important votes I was privileged to cast was my vote to repeal ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' permitting service by gay and lesbian Americans openly in the military. Yesterday's announcement follows that legacy. No one who is willing to serve our country in the military should have to live in secret about their gender identity. The Department of Defense is taking a responsible course toward ending discrimination against transgender Americans, as it did with the integration of gay and lesbian servicemembers into the military. The military moved expeditiously to prepare the armed services and then ended that discrimination. I expect equally expeditious action and the end of transgender discrimination by the military."