2025-07: OPPOSING THE TRANSGENDER MILITARY BAN AND HONORING THE SERVICE OF TRANSGENDER TROOPS

WHEREAS, throughout American history, LGBTQ+ individuals have served with honor and courage in every branch of the United States military, despite facing systemic discrimination, stigma, and forced silence; and

WHEREAS, on January 27, 2025, the Trump administration issued Executive Order 14183, which bans transgender individuals from serving openly in the U.S. military and mandates that currently serving transgender troops be discharged — an act that dehumanizes, isolates, and punishes servicemembers simply for living as their authentic selves; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Defense has already begun forcibly separating up to 1,000 transgender servicemembers, some of whom have served for years with distinction, integrity, and honor, threatening their livelihoods, healthcare access, retirement benefits, and dignity; and

WHEREAS, this policy revives a cruel chapter of our nation’s history — when fear and ignorance were used to justify discrimination in uniform — and reverses hard-won progress made under previous administrations to recognize transgender people as equal and capable defenders of our democracy; and

WHEREAS, the Democratic Party of Oregon affirms the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals to live free from discrimination; as set forth in the 2023 DPO Platform, Article 7, Planks 3 and 7; and

WHEREAS, policies like this ban of transgender service members undermines readiness and cohesion, and promotes hate and instability in our armed forces by undermining morale, dividing service members, and prioritizing prejudice over professionalism;

NOW, THEREFORE, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. The Democratic Party of Oregon condemns Executive Order 14183 and all associated policies as discriminatory, harmful, and un-American.

Section 2. The Democratic Party of Oregon calls for the immediate cancellation of this ban, which would restore full service eligibility to transgender individuals, and expunge the discharges or disciplinary actions resulting from this policy.

Section 3. The Democratic Party of Oregon affirms our unwavering support for transgender service members, past and present, and recommits to fighting for their rights to serve, to be recognized, and to live without fear.

Resolution Submitted By Cindy Smith, Multnomah County; Ellie Josephson, Young Democrats Caucus; Kien Truong, DNC Member; Michael Smith, Multnomah County