The Surprising Upside of Trump’s Monstrous New Transgender Policy

Social conservatives might be the ones who have always opposed trans people having the right to use public restrooms. So, here’s one surprising benefit from President Trump‘s decision to try and ban trans people from joining the military citing imaginary budgetary concerns — some social conservatives are responding by actually, for the first time ever, acknowledging that trans people are human beings. What a concept!

On Wednesday, despite how trans people’s medical costs in the military are five times less than what the military is paying for erectile dysfunction medication and three times less what taxpayers have paid for Trump’s 11 trips to Mar-a-Lago as president, Trump announced a ban on allowing trans people to serve in any capacity.

What followed was a scathing statement from conservative Vietnam veteran, Arizona Sen. John McCain, among other staunch conservatives.

In a statement, McCain called trans people serving in the military “patriots,” and stated that the military should not discriminate against qualifying individuals based on “gender identity,” among other criticisms of the Twitter announcement:

“Any American who meets current medical and readiness standards should be allowed to continue serving. There is no reason to force service members who are able to fight, train, and deploy to leave the military — regardless of their gender identity. We should all be guided by the principle that any American who wants to serve our country and is able to meet the standards should have the opportunity to do so — and should be treated as the patriots they are.

“The Department of Defense is currently conducting a study on the medical obligations it would incur, the impact on military readiness, and related questions associated with the accession of transgender individuals who are not currently serving in uniform and wish to join the military. I do not believe that any new policy decision is appropriate until that study is complete and thoroughly reviewed by the Secretary of Defense, our military leadership, and the Congress.

“The Senate Armed Services Committee will continue to follow closely and conduct oversight on the issue of transgender individuals serving in the military.”

In his own statement, Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch wrote: “I don’t think we should be discriminating against anyone. Transgender people are people, and deserve the best we can do for them.”

Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama said on CNN’s Newsroom, “You ought to treat everybody fairly and give everybody a chance to serve. The current policy is a big tent for people who want to serve. You have to remember our military force is a volunteer force.”

And Joni Ernst, a Republican senator from Iowa and a military veteran, herself, said that while taxpayer dollars shouldn’t go to gender affirmation procedures, had her spokeswoman issue the following statement:  “She believes what is most important is making sure service members can meet the physical training standards, and the willingness to defend our freedoms and way of life. While she believes taxpayers shouldn’t cover the costs associated with a gender reassignment surgery, Americans who are qualified and can meet the standards to serve in the military should be afforded that opportunity.”

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, mother of transgender son, said on Twitter, “No American, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be prohibited from honor + privilege of serving our nation #LGBT,” and praised Sen. Hatch for his similar position.

I’m not going so far as to say that the discriminatory ban is somehow a good thing, by any stretch of the imagination. It sends the message that trans people are societal burdens, and reinforces even more pernicious stereotypes. Worse yet, it’s not like Americans are lining up to endure strenuous training and risk their lives for their country. Anyone who’s qualified should have the opportunity to serve, and we’ll all be better off for it.

But in its staunch social conservatism, do you the Republican party would have stepped up and acknowledge the existence and right to equality of trans people without this push? Granted, the push is despicable but can you think of any other way Republicans might take one step toward advocating for trans rights?

None of this makes the ban even vaguely justifiable, but at the very least, it’s a silver lining.

This is an opinion piece. The views expressed in this article are those of just the author.