In a recent development concerning our lawsuit against the Trump administration’s transgender military ban, the Department of Justice (DOJ) attempted to circumvent the lower district court’s preliminary ruling by escalating the case directly to the Supreme Court. In this unusual move, the DOJ justifies this immediate review as it involves an issue of imperative public importance “the authority of the U.S. military to determine who may serve in the Nation’s armed forces.”

Gender Justice League remains committed in the fight against the Transgender Military Ban alongside the Human Rights Campaign, the American Military Partner Association and the individual co-plaintiffs, represented by Lambda Legal and OutServe-SLDN. “By going directly to the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice is trying to sidestep the authority of the lower courts who have been ruling in favor of non-discrimination against transgender military veterans” says Sophia Lee, Board Chair of Gender Justice League. “There is simply no reason for this expedited process. The Department of Justice is abusing its power to discriminate against transgender service members and veterans.”