There was an immediate reaction from Iowans yesterday (Wednesday) after President Donald Trump’s Tweet that transgender individuals will be banned from service. A coalition of Iowans who identify as transgender released a statement, saying, in part, that this attempt to exclude transgender individuals is an “act of cowardice.” “This is a grave insult to our active transgender service members and all those aspiring to join our military,” they wrote. “It is also an insult to all those currently serving with transgender service members who are executing their jobs with the same excellence they were before President Obama opened the service to those identifying as transgender.” They also said they will not waiver in their efforts to make America a safe place for them to live and serve and that they are proud to live in a place that this conversation can take place and they can take the opportunity to help increase understanding. The statement was issued by; Chair of the Stonewall Caucus for the Iowa Democratic Party (IDP), Kevin Kelly; Alex Anders, Affirmative Action Chair for the IDP; transgender rights activist, Austin Wadle; and U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. and former Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, Jack Schuler.
