Following the decision of the U.S. Air Force denying early retirement for transgender service members who have served between 15 and 18 years, the Colorado Democratic Party, along with the Colorado Democratic Veterans Council (CDVC) and the Stonewall Democrats of Colorado, have released a statement condemning the decision.
Scott Merrifield, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Veterans Council, says in a statement, “To strip retirement benefits from transgender service members who have honored their commitment is an egregious breach of trust and an act of discrimination. No individual should be punished for their identity, especially after serving in uniform. This policy undermines morale, betrays service, and sets a dangerous precedent.”
In a press release, the Colorado Democratic Party, CDVC, and Stonewall Democrats of Colorado have urged the Department of Defense, the U.S. Air Force, and Congress to “reverse the policy targeting transgender service members, restore all previously approved early retirement benefits, and implement inclusive, equitable policies that honor all who serve—regardless of gender identity.”
According to an NPR article, an Air Force spokesperson told The Associated Press that “although service members with 15 to 18 years of honorable service were permitted to apply for an exception to policy, none of the exceptions to policy were approved.”
The U.S. Air Force decision follows the Pentagon decision to ban all transgender troops serving in the military, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in May of this year.
Jared Bynum, Chair of the Stonewall Democrats of Colorado, believes the Air Force’s directive is a betrayal of trans service members’ military service.
“This policy is not only discriminatory; it is cruel,” says Bynum. “Trans service members are patriots who have made personal sacrifices to serve their country. Denying them the respect and benefits they earned is abhorrent and stands in direct opposition to our values of equity and justice.”
The Air Force’s removal of transgender service members from early retirement reverses previously approved retirements, forcing separations without pensions and providing only one-time lump-sum payments.
