In three tweets this week President Donald Trump declared an all-out ban on "transgender individuals" serving in the military. Military leaders responded to what's been described as a surprise announcement by saying they won't change any policies for the estimated 10,000 transgendered military members without further direction from the White House. On Gulf Coast Live, two military veterans who are trans, and other trans activists in Florida, respond to the president's tweets and the status of Americans who are trans.
"After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow...... ....Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming..... victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you"
Donna Lusk, a Fort Myers Navy veteran who's trans, as well as Susan McGinnes, a Naples-area Air Force vet who is trans, join the show to discuss their military service and reaction to the president's tweeted policy.
Fort Myers transgender activist Emma Bansley also joins the show to share her perspective of how the president's tweets were received in the trans community of Southwest Florida.
Also joining the show is Gina Duncan, the director of transgender equality at Equality Florida.
