Statement Supporting Resolution Opposing Ban on Transgender Individual's Service in the Military

October 4, 2017

STATEMENT BY MONA NORIEGA, CHAIR AND COMMISSIONER

CHICAGO COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS

TO THE CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RELATIONS

October 4, 2017

 

Good morning, Chairman Dowell and members of the Committee on Human Relations.  My name is Mona Noriega and I serve as the Commissioner for the Chicago Commission on Human Relations.   I thank you for recognizing the veterans who wish to continue their service as members of the Veterans Advisory Council and I thank you for being present for this next part of the hearing to hear testimony in support of the Mayor’s resolution opposing President Trump’s ban on service in the military by transgender individuals.

As you know, the Chicago Commission on Human Relations challenges bias and discrimination by receiving complaints of discrimination, conducting outreach and education, and advocating for victims of hate crimes.  President Trump’s stated rationale for banning transgender individuals is founded on untruths based in old stereotypes—stereotypes that harm this country’s ability to harness the best of the best, and further stigmatize an already discriminated against community. 

We know the rational as put forth by President Trump for the ban on service in military is not based on fact.  In July 2017 the President tweeted that "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."  But, per a government-commissioned study in May of 2016 it was determined that the actual cost of providing transition-related care is exceedingly small relative to U.S. Armed Forces overall health care expenditures, that there are no readiness implications that prevent transgender members from serving openly, and that numerous foreign militaries have successfully permitted open service without a negative effect on effectiveness, readiness or unit cohesion.[1]

Dating back to 1948 when President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order ending racial segregation in the US military, our country’s armed forces have often been at the forefront of efforts to end discrimination and achieve greater integration for people from all facets of American society.   That tradition continued with the abolition of “don’t ask, don’t tell” under the Obama administration.  Now, with this needless and harmful ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, the Trump administration is seeking to turn back the clock on nearly seventy years of progress and integration in our armed forces.

Today you will hear from community members who challenge the stereotypes this military ban is based on and we ask you to support the resolution in opposition to President Trump’s ban on service in the military by transgender individuals.  Thank you for your attention to this matter.

[1] https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1530.html

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