WASHINGTON, D.C.– Six SPARTA members will be attending the White House’s annual LGBT Pride Month Reception.
Two actively serving transgender service members will attend the Reception Wednesday, June 24. Upon receiving his invitation, Air Force Senior Airman Logan Ireland notified his command, who authorized a policy exception to allow him to attend in male dress uniform.
Ireland and his fiancée, Army Corporal Laila Villanueva came out publicly earlier in the month as being transgender in an exclusive New York Times Op-Doc,Transgender, at War and in Love.
Ireland recently returned from Afghanistan, where he was treated as male; because he was identified as female when he joined the Air Force, regulations currently require him to abide by female uniform and grooming standards.
Four transgender military veterans will also attend the Reception.
Army Colonel (Retired) Sheri Swokowski; Navy Lt. Cdr. (USNR) Brynn Tannehill; former Marine Sergeant Devon Allen and former Army National Guard Specialist Bryce Jordan Celotto.
“For those of us who are veterans, this is our opportunity to represent over 15,000 transgender people currently serving in our Armed Forces,” said Swokowski. “We are here to tell their stories while they continue to risk discharge by coming out. They serve their country with honor and distinction while they are denied medically necessary care as well as personal integrity to be who they are. It’s the current version of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’”
SPARTA has called for a moratorium on transgender discharges, and an expedited policy update to reflect current medical practice.
I am Transgender woman , and I ‘m darn proud of it.