Transgender group speaks out against Trump’s ban

President Trump said no to transgender people in the military in a series of tweets recently. The Imperial Valley LGBT community rejected his decision.

LGBT Resource Center Director Rosa Diaz said, “This is a threat to our community because again, we believe it is a biased, prejudiced ban. What I’m upset about is what he has done with no backing or true facts to reason. And what he stirred. He stirred confusion. He stirred fear.”

Trump claimed transgender needs distract the military. But, transgender Xaiden Davis doesn’t agree.

“Transgender people are people, too. Just because we’re transgender it doesn’t make us less human or less able to serve in the military or any job capacity,” Davis said.

Transgender advocate Kellie Hollywood said transgender expenses in the service are minimal compared to other expenses.

“The military’s currently paying out 84 million dollars a year for Viagra, but he’s saying that the two to eight million dollars that’s used for gender transition is an absorbent amount compared to the 84 million,” Hollywood said.

Davis, originally from Jamaica, said he never expected to find prejudice against transgender people in the U.S. He said in Jamaica, transgender people run the risk of being killed for their lifestyle every day.

“People like us, trans people, get killed daily, because there’s nothing protecting us. There’s no law protecting anyone in the LGBT community,” Davis said.

Diaz explained it’s not just about defending transgender rights, but everyone’s rights.

“If the president bans one group, there could be other bans for other groups,” Diaz said.

The group is drafting a resolution for city and state officials asking for their support.

“Put something out there so that our local leaders can read, can see, can sign. And then we have something to stand on,” Diaz concluded.