Celebrities including Caitlyn Jenner, Katy Perry and Ariana Grande have taken to Twitter to voice their condemnation of President Donald Trump's announcement that he plans to ban transgender people from serving in the US military.
The shock policy decision was announced by the Republican President on Wednesday (July 26) in a series of tweets. It marks a sharp reversal from Barack Obama's administration's lifting of a similar ban last year which allowed transgender military personnel to serve openly.
Jenner, who voted for Trump and is a Republican party supporter, tweeted: "There are 15,000 patriotic transgender Americans in the US military fighting for all of us. What happened to your promise to fight for them?"
There are 15,000 patriotic transgender Americans in the US military fighting for all of us. What happened to your promise to fight for them? https://t.co/WzjypVC8Sr
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) July 26, 2017
Trump previously voiced his support for the LGBT community, tweeting in June 2016: "I will fight for you while Hillary brings in more people that will threaten your freedoms and beliefs."
The President asserted in a series of tweets early on Wednesday that transgender people would not be allowed to serve in "any capacity".
He added: "Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail."
After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
....Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
....victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
A host of celebrities took to Twitter to voice their disgust at President Trump's decision, with many pledging their support to the LGBTQ community.
ALL those who defend our right to live freely should be able to serve freely! There are THOUSANDS currently serving! #ProtectTransTroops
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) July 26, 2017
I just want to tell the transgender community that I love you and you ARE supported no matter what. #ProtectTransTroops
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) July 26, 2017
If someone wants to serve our country & is brave enough to put their life on the line to defend it, who cares if they're transgender. #LGBTQ
— Olivia Munn (@oliviamunn) July 26, 2017
Hey trans teens: this man does not represent the overwhelming love, support and pride waiting for you when you step out into the world.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) July 26, 2017
no. My God. This must be challenged. https://t.co/H9DBE4cmK7
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) July 26, 2017
Trump is banning all transgenders from the military. To those who believed Trump would be a friend to LGBTs, time to admit you were conned.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 26, 2017
.@realDonaldTrump you may be the president in name, but you shame that office & the USA in your treatment of our service men & women today.
— zoe kazan (@zoeinthecities) July 26, 2017
"BREAKING: Trump: Transgender people will not be allowed to serve `in any capacity' in the US military." ODIOUS OGRE.
— St. Vincent (@st_vincent) July 26, 2017
To all the trans folks currently serving in the military thank you for your service. I am sorry your "commander in chief" doesn't value it.
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) July 26, 2017
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) July 26, 2017
Hey Ivanka, James here. Hope all is good, quick question, can you... Erm... Call your dad and have a talk. X https://t.co/yiiL89J3Ap
— James Corden (@JKCorden) July 26, 2017
We should be grateful to the people who wish to serve, not turn our backs on them. Banning transgender people is hurtful, baseless and wrong
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) July 26, 2017
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