Stand Up for Same-Sex Marriage, Transgender Heroes in Our Military

I write to you with a heavy heart, deeply troubled by recent actions that threaten the freedoms of millions of Americans. President Trump’s executive order on January 27, 2025, banning transgender individuals from military service [NPR News: Jan 28, 2025] and the push in at least nine states to undermine same-sex marriage rights [NBC News: Feb 26, 2025] are direct attacks on the values of equality and liberty. These decisions strip hardworking Americans of their rights, erasing the progress we’ve made toward a freer, more just country. If you believe in the rights of all Americans, now is the time to speak out. Sergeant Alex Miller has served in the U.S. military for more than a decade, risking their life to protect this country. Now, simply because they are transgender, they are being told their service is no longer welcome. Removing trained, dedicated soldiers over politics weakens our military and betrays the people who have sworn to defend this country. Similarly, same-sex couples who built their lives under the promise that their marriages were equal under the law now face the fear that their rights will be taken away overnight. What does it say about our country when we revoke legal protections instead of strengthening them? Countries that lead the world expand rights, not restrict them. The great nations of history rose because they valued the contributions of all citizens, not just those deemed acceptable by the government. Authoritarian regimes suppress certain groups to consolidate power, targeting minorities, women, and LGBTQ+ people to maintain control. Trump is following that same dangerous pattern, chipping away at protections until millions of Americans have fewer rights than they did a decade ago. I urge you to act now. Speak out against the military purge of transgender service members. Fight to protect marriage equality from political attacks. The government should not control who can serve their country or who can marry the person they love. Our country is better than this. We need leaders who will stand up for the rights of all Americans. Will you?