Executive Order 14183, issued by President Trump in January entitled, “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness” instructed the Department of Defense to “take the steps necessary to exclude transgender people from the military.” In May, a memo was issued by Gwen DeFilippi—the Air Force’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs—that stated that trans Space and Air Force members with 15-18 years of service were able to apply as an “exception to policy” to TERA. However, by August, DeFilippi was replaced by Brian L. Scarlett, and all of those retirements were rescinded. This complaint claims that the reversal violated the Air Force’s instruction, and that the plaintiffs are entitled to full retirement benefits. They are seeking reinstatement of the orders and retirement status as well as benefits and compensation. One of the plaintiffs, Master Sgt. Logan Ireland (pictured above) told the Advocate, “I’ve done what my service and my country asked of me,” adding that, “My gender should have no bearing on what retirement benefits I’m afforded. Full stop.” “The military has made me who I am. It has made me a better person,” Ireland stated, “All that I wish is for the military to see that and to honor that same sacrifice that I’ve given.” Photo Courtesy of social media
