NCLR and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) represent the plaintiffs in two major lawsuits challenging President Trump’s directive to reinstate a ban on transgender people serving in the military. The suits, Doe v. Trump and Stockman v. Trump, were filed on behalf of transgender service members with decades of combined military service.

In June 2016, after comprehensive review of the issue by military experts and others, the Department of Defense announced that transgender people could serve openly in all branches of the U.S. military. The Department concluded that the ban served no legitimate purpose and that open service by transgender people would serve the military’s best interests. Since that time, thousands of transgender service members have begun to serve openly.

Our plaintiffs serve in nearly every branch of the military. Their years of service include tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a result of the ban, they face dramatic uncertainty about their futures including the potential loss of their professions, livelihoods, and post-military and retirement benefits.

In addition to NCLR and GLAD, the plaintiffs in Doe v. Trump are represented by lawyers from Lowenstein Sandler LLP and Jenner & Block LLP.