President Trump recently signed a directive that would ban transgender individuals from being recruited to the military and would also ban the Department of Defense from using its resources to provide medical treatment regimens for transgender individuals currently serving in the military.
In response, Physicians for Reproductive Health Board Chair Dr. Willie Parker issued the following statement:
All patients should be able to work in a world where they do not have to fear living their authentic lives.
“This directive from President Trump is incredibly disrespectful to transgender individuals and the transgender service members in the military today. Many of our doctors have cared for transgender patients and know how policies like this will only further stigmatize a community whose health care is already marginalized.
Everyone deserves respectful health care, particularly members of our armed forces, who serve and sacrifice for our country every day. Transgender health care, including gender affirming surgery, is essential health care.
All patients should be able to work in a world where they do not have to fear living their authentic lives. Developments like this are shameful and take us backward. Let us be clear: non-discrimination is non-negotiable.”