Federal judge blocks Trump’s trans military ban

A federal judge has barred the Trump administration from changing its military policy to ban transgender troops.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly said the administration must “revert to the status quo,” meaning it must go back to the standards prior to President Trump’s Aug. 26 memo to the Pentagon outlining a ban on all transgender people who wish to serve in the U.S. military.

In response to Trump’s memo at the time, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) filed a motion for preliminary injunction to put a halt on the ban, which Kollar-Kotelly issued this morning.

“There is absolutely no support for the claim that the ongoing service of transgender people would have any negative effect on the military at all,” Kollar-Kotelly wrote in her ruling, according to Bloomberg. “In fact, there is considerable evidence that it is the discharge and banning of such individuals that would have such effects.”

BREAKING: US court bars Trump from changing military policy on service by transgender people.

— The Associated Press (@AP) October 30, 2017

However, the judge didn’t grant all of the NCLR’s and GLAD’s request.

While the court issued a preliminary injunction against the actual ban of transgender people, it denied a request in respect to the Sex “Reassignment” Surgery Directive, in which President Trump ordered the Pentagon to hault the funding of gender confirmation surgeries for service members.

Now: DC judge blocks parts of presidential memo that would restrict transgender service in the military https://t.co/uI23J4aPPP pic.twitter.com/oDqwbE4pMg

— Mike Scarcella (@MikeScarcella) October 30, 2017

As the news spread on Twitter, transgender people and advocates shared their relief that at least the ban had been blocked.

#BREAKING! Federal court grants preliminary injunction in NCLR, @GLADLaw #TransMilitaryBan case! #TransBan https://t.co/Plq64cFZvS

— NCLR – National Center for Lesbian Rights (@NCLRights) October 30, 2017

So thankful to @GLADLaw and @NCLRights for fighting against the #TransMilitaryBan. Fantastic news! https://t.co/FAHEDGk3U5

— Anna Morrison (@annasmorrison) October 30, 2017

https://twitter.com/lauraOsolow/status/925043327145271298

A victory for equality! All Americans, regardless of their gender identity, should be able to serve their country. #TransMilitaryBan https://t.co/EQQINAMrlV

— Rep. Nadler (@RepJerryNadler) October 30, 2017

https://twitter.com/cigarboyrick82/status/925050733510217728

The NCLR and GLAD now have until Nov. 10 to file a Joint Status Report indicating how they propose to proceed.