What the Supreme Court’s Ruling on Trans Troops Means for Equality and Service
This week, the Supreme Court allowed a controversial and deeply harmful policy to move forward: reinstating a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military. For many in the LGBTQ+ community—and especially for trans service members—this ruling feels like a devastating setback. If you’re feeling disheartened, angry, exhausted, or all of the above, you are absolutely not alone.
Let’s break down what this policy means, how we got here, and why it matters—not just for trans individuals in the military, but for the broader fight for dignity and equal rights.
What Did the Supreme Court Decide?
The Court’s decision greenlights a policy from the Trump administration that:
Bans transgender individuals from enlisting in the military
Allows the Department of Defense to discharge active-duty service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria
Requires trans individuals already serving to identify themselves and prepare for separation from service
Authorizes the military to review medical records to find trans personnel who haven’t voluntarily disclosed their status
This isn’t a theoretical policy—it’s already being implemented. Trans service members are being forced to out themselves, face dismissal, or abandon their medical care and identity. It’s a calculated move that treats service, identity, and privacy as expendable.
This Isn’t About Military Readiness—It’s About Discrimination
Let’s be clear: this policy is not about national security, military readiness, or unit cohesion. It’s about using the armed forces as a tool to codify discrimination against transgender people.
We’ve seen this before. The trans military ban was first enacted during Trump’s first term, repealed under the Biden administration, and now—despite years of data, lived experience, and service—it’s back. The message is loud and clear: trans people are being told, once again, that they are not fit to serve their country simply because of who they are.
For trans individuals in uniform, this is not just a legal ruling. It’s about their livelihoods, healthcare, privacy, and safety.
A Dangerous Pattern: The Broader Attacks on Trans Rights
This military ban doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s part of a growing, deliberate political movement to roll back trans rights in every area of life. We’ve seen:
State-level bans on gender-affirming care for minors
Efforts to criminalize healthcare providers
Bathroom bans and restrictions on participation in sports
Attacks on trans visibility in education and media
Now, with the military ban, the message is consistent and dangerous: trans people are being pushed out of public life, one policy at a time.
It’s not a coincidence. It’s a coordinated effort. And if it feels like a slippery slope—it is.
To the Trans Community: You Belong Here
To my trans, nonbinary, and queer friends, clients, and colleagues—your existence is not up for debate. Your identity is not a disruption. You do not need to prove your worthiness, justify your right to serve, or shrink yourself to make others comfortable.
This ruling may have power on paper, but it does not define your value. You are valid. You are needed. And you deserve to live, thrive, and be safe—whether in uniform or not.
To Allies: Don’t Look Away
If you’re feeling powerless or unsure of what to do, start here:
Speak up when you see injustice or anti-trans rhetoric
Donate to organizations fighting for trans rights (like the ACLU, TLDEF, or local mutual aid groups)
Vote in every election—local, state, and federal
Support trans individuals in your life through your words, actions, and dollars
Progress doesn’t happen through silence. It happens when we speak up, show up, and challenge ignorance with facts, humanity, and unshakable solidarity.
Why This Matters to Me—And My Work
As an attorney who advocates for the LGBTQ+ community, I know how personal these policies are. They affect people’s families, livelihoods, and mental health. They send a message about who belongs—and who doesn’t.
This isn’t just about military policy. It’s about who gets to live with dignity. It’s about the legal structures we create and whether they protect everyone, or only a few.
If you’re navigating legal questions related to trans rights, discrimination, or family protection in Nebraska, I’m here to help. I offer legal services with care, clarity, and a commitment to equity. You can reach me at 402-259-0059 or zach@zandersonlaw.com.
You deserve to be seen. You deserve to be protected. And this fight is far from over.