Hillary Clinton has applauded the
Pentagon's decision to lift its ban on transgender people serving
openly in the military.
In a statement given to the Washington
Blade, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said
that she was “proud” of the decision.
“I am proud of the decision to lift
the ban on allowing transgender troops to serve openly in the
military,” Clinton said. “This decision will allow thousands of
brave soldiers who are deeply committed to defending our nation to
serve with dignity and respect. Having the world’s best military
doesn’t just mean having the best-trained, best-equipped forces or
the biggest arsenal – it also means being a leader on issues of
equality and opportunity.”
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on
Thursday announced the policy change, saying the ban would be lifted
“effective immediately.”
(Related: Pentagon
lifts ban on transgender troops.)
Clinton also reiterated her call for
passage of the Equality Act, which seeks to prohibit anti-LGBT
discrimination in seven key areas, including credit, education,
employment, federal funding, housing, jury service and public
accommodations, by effectively expanding the Civil Rights Act of
1964.
“Now we need to finally pass the
federal Equality Act and end discrimination against LGBT Americans
once and for all in employment, housing and other aspects of public
life,” Clinton said.