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 growing global threats, attacks on LGBTQ+ service members, veterans, and their families make all of us less safe
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 in uniform. Anyone who is willing and qualified to sign up for military service deserves our respect, gratitude, and support. Make no mistake:
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 ways to secure vital resources for our community, support members across the national security enterprise, and prepare an array of actions we can
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 the world and recruitment challenges here at home, discharging these service members will erode our military deterrence and cost American taxpayers by creating
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 Truman’s historic 1948 executive orders and would prohibit discrimination in the military and protect transgender service members. The legislation has been endorsed by the
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 best healthcare decisions for their children. Second, we oppose moves that make life more difficult for servicemembers and their families. While ONS applauds efforts
Standing Together: A Post-Election Commitment
In the wake of the election, we're sending our sincere and heartfelt support to you across the United States and the globe. We have planned and prepared for what’s ahead with our team and our partners. First and foremost, we remain a safe harbor for #LGBTQIAPlus people across the national security enterprise, in both the public and private sectors. ONS will continue to be a hub and a network node for thousands of #LGBTQIAPlus servicemembers, foreign service officers, civil servants, scientists, veterans, and many others
The Greatest Generation Had Queer Veterans, Too
Interviews, diaries, love letters, and declassified documents describe a two-front war: one on behalf of the United States and one within the armed forces, similar in some ways to the experiences of the African Americans and Japanese Americans who served.
Pardon of LGBTQI+ Service Members Wrongly Convicted
Today, President Biden pardoned thousands of former U.S. service members convicted for engaging in consensual sexual activity under the now-repealed UCMJ Article 125. "Righting a historic wrong on this scale is one culmination of decades of advocacy, stretching from Frank Kameny and Mattachine to ONS and many of our close partners today,” said ONS CEO Luke Schleusener. “It’s proof that fighting for what’s right is always worth it." The move is a testament to the ability of the LGBTQIA+ community to effectively advocate the U.S. government
