Devastating and Discriminatory Actions Coming Out of Our Nation’s Capital
Portland, OR | July 26th, 2017 -
Friends,
The devastating and discriminatory actions coming out of our nation’s capital over the last 24 hours have been heartbreaking and difficult to digest. It’s hard to express the increased frustration, outrage, and sadness I am feeling today as I look at the impact that these decisions will have on our community, our friends, and our chosen families.
Today, the Trump-Pence administration launched a full-scale attack on our community when they announced, via a Tweet, that the United States would no longer allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the military.
Thousands of transgender people have served with honor and distinction in our military. They have risked their lives around the world to ensure our safety.
CAP and Prism Health condemn this announcement and we call upon the administration to reverse this repulsive and life-endangering action that not only undermines military readiness, but weakens our country and makes us less safe. We stand strong with our transgender service members and their families affected by this ban.
Today’s announcement comes as the latest attempt of the Trump-Pence administration to undo years of progress for the LGBTQ+ community and on the heels of another step backwards in our battle to preserve the Affordable Care Act for millions of Americans.
We are deeply concerned by the Senate’s continuing efforts to take away life-sustaining health care coverage and protections from millions of people who desperately need them. All of the iterations of this legislation threaten the health and well-being of people living with and affected by HIV. In a time when we should be working to end this epidemic, the administration’s actions are threatening to undo the work of decades of struggle.
Yesterday what passed was a Motion to Proceed on the healthcare vote. It was not a bill, but a motion for debate. This means there is still time to sway votes. This fight is not over.
These horrible attacks on what we hold most dear are meant to overwhelm us and to break us down. Instead they will focus us and strengthen the resolve of our resistance. Our voices must be heard across the country. We will not accept discrimination in our Military, or anywhere in our Country. We will not accept dropping health coverage from millions of Americans. We will keep fighting every day. Call, Email, Tweet, Share. Together we can fight this; we can’t let up, because we will not move back.
Yours in solidarity,
Tyler TerMeer | Executive Director
Cascade AIDS Project | Prism Health
