US President Donald Trump announces ban on transgender military members

On Wednesday, June 26, 2017, we are disappointed to share that United States President Donald Trump announced a ban on transgender military service members, part of a series of tweets that included the line “IN AMERICA WE DON’T WORSHIP GOVERNMENT -- WE WORSHIP GOD.” 

In response, Seventh-day Adventist Kinship, International, is calling on our leaders, political and religious, to return to a sense of compassion and understanding of whom the same God has called them to serve—the least of these, the most vulnerable, and the marginalized. This includes those who are transgender.

Our armed forces and even religious institutions are stronger when they acknowledge and accept the contributions, talents, and gifts of all members of society. Yes. This includes those who are transgender.

We believe that this is more complex than what can fit on a bumper sticker, in a political slogan, or even a tweet; and we encourage our leaders (especially our religious leaders) to use this as an opportunity to listen to the stories of transgender people and to create opportunities for greater dialogue on this subject.

If you belong to the transgender community, including the 15,000 actively serving in the armed forces, we stand with you and will always advocate for you and on your behalf. We believe that your journeys are important and that you should never be discriminated against.

Founded in 1976, Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International, Inc., is a nonprofit support organization. With members in over 40 countries, Kinship ministers to the spiritual, emotional, social, and physical well-being of current and former Seventh-day Adventists who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex individuals and their families and friends.  

Seventh-day Adventist Kinship, International, Inc. 
PO Box 244, Orinda, CA 94563
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www.sdakinship.org