Target: Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter
Goal: Thank Secretary Carter for passing a bill allowing transgender people to serve in the U.S. Army.
Very recently, it was announced that transgender people will finally be allowed to serve openly in the U.S. Armed Forces. No longer will these people be forced to hide their identity and feel trapped or discriminated against while they strive to serve and protect their country. No longer will they be forced to leave the service if they are found out.
Transgender rights are a huge topic lately. For decades, transgender people have been regarded as a joke or forced to conform to their birth sex no matter how uncomfortable they are, afraid to come out or transition due to society’s view of them. In the last decade, though, many transgender people have started to come out and speak their minds about their experiences and feelings, no longer satisfied with the stigma against them and others like them. This and the transgender bathroom issue have been on the hot topic list for months now.
The U.S. Military has been undergoing a transformation regarding LGBT rights for a long time now, from the early days of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell to its repeal allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly. The U.S. has become much more benevolent to homosexuals, and it is a relief to see that treatment being extended to transgender people as well.
All categories of the LGBT community deserve respect and the right to live their lives as they choose, including the right to serve openly in the Armed Forces. Sign this petition to thank Secretary Carter for allowing it to happen.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Carter,
Thank you for striking a blow for transgender rights by allowing transgender people to serve openly in the U.S. Armed Forces. After all the discrimination and stigma aimed at the transgender community in the past decade, it is good to see steps being taken to lessen and eventually erase these prejudices, especially by the U.S. Armed Forces.
What you have done for the transgender community is a blessing. The implementation of a law that strengthens their rights as human beings is one more big step forward for our society. Thank you for showing this respect to the transgender community by allowing them to be themselves without fear of legal repercussion.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Alex Brandon / Associated Press
but violence is sill illegal everywhere!