The Canadian Armed Forces put out a bold statement in response to President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people from serving in any capacity within the US Military.
We welcome Cdns of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Join us! #DiversityIsOurStrength #ForcesJobs https://t.co/572KahN2Zh pic.twitter.com/9In7HR4Utj
— Canadian Armed Forces (@CanadianForces) July 26, 2017
The Canadian Armed Force represents the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force. The Department of National Defense is the federal government department which provides administration, policy and civilian support to all the Forces.
It may seem like a piece of typical recruitment communication or a public relations message but also directly serves as firing back against President Trump’s new military policy. It also makes Canada’s stance and policy clear to its own military personnel and public at large. This time of year also happens to be the season for Pride festivities.
The statement echoes a similar tone to responses by world leaders including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to other recent Trump Government policies like the infamous ‘Travel Ban’ or anti-refugee/immigration sentiments. It was Tweeted out a few hours after the official US Government announcement (which was 3 Tweets by the Commander-in-Chief):
The Donald cites burdens like “tremendous medical costs” and “disruption” to the military world as reasoning for not allowing any transgender individuals from serving in any capacity. He also mentions his Administration consulted with General and military experts and that the focus must be on victory.
Like night and day, the Canadian Forces see things totally opposite and make it clear that they welcome Canadians “of all sexual orientations and gender identities” further stamped with #DiversityIsOurStrength to their Tweet which links to a recruitment page.
Trump's Ban Puts Serving Transgender Troops in Limbo https://t.co/J1XLnfXgXl
— Military.com (@Militarydotcom) July 26, 2017
It’s unclear if the ‘Transgender Ban’ will echo the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” (DADT) official US military policy which was instated by the Clinton Administration in 1994 and abolished by President Obama in 2011.
Naturally Vancouver’s very own Seth Rogen chimed in:
Here are some other reactions to Trump’s ‘Transgender Ban” by some prominent American figures:
Any American who meets current medical & readiness standards should be allowed to continue serving – my full stmt: https://t.co/6rHm5OWQzc
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) July 26, 2017
Every patriotic American who is qualified to serve in our military should be able to serve. Full stop.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/890271940186742784
Trump is banning all transgenders from the military. To those who believed Trump would be a friend to LGBTs, time to admit you were conned.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/AdamBlickstein/status/890212438418829314
There are 15,000 patriotic transgender Americans in the US military fighting for all of us. What happened to your promise to fight for them? https://t.co/WzjypVC8Sr
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) July 26, 2017
To all the trans folks currently serving in the military thank you for your service. I am sorry your "commander in chief" doesn't value it.
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) July 26, 2017
ALL those who defend our right to live freely should be able to serve freely! There are THOUSANDS currently serving! #ProtectTransTroops
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) July 26, 2017
I am grateful to the transgender members of the military for their service. # LetThemServe.
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) July 26, 2017
Discrimination in any form is wrong for all of us #LetThemServe https://t.co/3cxL0fNdbv
— jack (@jack) July 26, 2017
President Trump's attack on #trans servicemembers shows a distinct lack of loyalty to our nation's heroes.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 26, 2017
We are indebted to all who serve. Discrimination against anyone holds everyone back. #LetThemServe
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) July 26, 2017
We honor and respect all who serve, including the transgender members of our military. #LetThemServe
— Brad Smith (@BradSmi) July 26, 2017
We should be grateful to the people who wish to serve, not turn our backs on them. Banning transgender people is hurtful, baseless and wrong
— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) July 26, 2017
Samanta Bee summed it up nicely:
After consultation with our staff, here is our current statement regarding @POTUS's transgender service tweets. "FUCK YOU."
— Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (@FullFrontalSamB) July 26, 2017
At the time of publication there were no official statements by Prime Minster Justin Trudeau or Minister of National Defense Harjit Sajjan. There are calls for them by Canadian politicians to publicly condemn the American policy in the name of human rights and freedom.
It’s yet another very polarizing social and political issue, not just ingrained in America.
More #LetThemServe and #DiverscityIsOurStrength
