Statement on SCOTUS Intervention in Shilling v. Trump
Today, Out in National Security (ONS) CEO Luke Schleusener issued the following statement after the United States Supreme Court lifted the Preliminary Injunction in Shilling v. Trump: “Lifting the injunction during ongoing litigation is both harmful and irresponsible. Allowing the ban to go into effect will cause the plaintiffs to suffer in precisely the way they are seeking relief from through the
Recruiting for the 2025 Out Leadership & New Voices Lists
My name is Denver Barrows and I am the Chief Operating Officer at Out in National Security. Out in National Security is a non-profit focused on connecting and uplifting LGBTQIA+ professionals in the national security enterprise. Over the past six years, we have aimed to bring together our community of service members, intelligence analysts, consultants, academics, diplomats, program managers, and more.
Statement on Rollback of Transgender, Nonbinary, and Intersex Protections for Veterans
Together with Minority Veterans of America, Modern Military Association of America, and SPARTA, ONS's Luke Schleusener vehemently condemn the VA's decision to rescind the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) Directive 1341 — a lifesaving policy that ensured transgender, nonbinary, and intersex veterans received respectful, clinically appropriate health care — in a recent joint press release: “At a time when the American people face
Statement on the Department of Defense’s Dangerous Effort to Remove Transgender Servicemembers from the U.S. Military
Washington, DC – Today, Out in National Security (ONS) CEO Luke Schleusener issued the following statement after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth directed the Department of Defense to effectively remove transgender servicemembers from the U.S. military. “Our servicemembers—and our country—deserve better than politically motivated orders that threaten the strength of America’s All-Volunteer Force by rejecting the service of thousands of transgender Americans
Community and Belonging
ONS Community, New regulations and executive orders will not deter Out in National Security from providing a place of community and belonging for our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We understand firsthand that national security relies upon unity, inclusion, and a shared commitment to protecting our nation. Together, we strengthen the fabric of the United States. We are collaborating closely with numerous partners to identify meaningful
Statement on Transgender Service Ban
Out in National Security (ONS) CEO Luke Schleusener issued the below statement after the Trump Administration released a new executive order banning transgender individuals from serving in the military. "This executive order—banning thousands of qualified transgender service members—will make America less safe, plain and simple. Transgender service members currently fulfill vital roles across the U.S. military. At a time of unprecedented threats around
Reps. Sara Jacobs, Eric Sorensen Reintroduce Bill to Prevent Trans Military Ban Ahead of Donald Trump’s Inauguration
Ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Co-Chair of the Transgender Equality Task Force, and Rep. Eric Sorensen (IL-07) reintroduced legislation that would prevent discriminatory policies like a transgender military service ban or “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The Ensuring Military Readiness Not Discrimination Act, commonly referred to as “the Truman Amendment,” builds on the progress of President
Statement on the Passage of the FY25 NDAA
On December 18, the Senate passed the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act that includes a provision blocking transgender children of servicemembers from receiving medically necessary gender-affirming healthcare through TRICARE. At ONS, we believe first that parents, alongside medical professionals, are best suited to determine the medical care needs of their children. This NDAA limits the ability of military families to make the
