LPAC Responds to Trans Military Ban and Iowa Civil Rights Trans Protections

February 28, 2025 – Today, LPAC responded to news that transgender troops will be removed from the military, and that Iowa lawmakers became the first in the nation to approve legislation removing gender identity protections from the state's civil rights code Thursday.

In a statement about the military Executive Order, LPAC Executive Director Janelle Perez said: “There is nothing to gain by targeting hardworking service members who dedicate their lives to our country, and there is much to lose. Trump cannot erase the legacy and pride of our LGBTQ+ veterans, and he cannot erase transgender people. What he can and will diminish, however, is the dedication, safety and strength these individuals bring to our national security.”

In a previous statement anticipating these orders, LPAC Board member, author and veteran Charlotte Clymer said:

“The overlooked tragedy of Trump’s effort to ban trans people from the military is that, if successful, it will weaken our national security. It will erase billions in personnel development and expertise, it will significantly harm our military’s recruitment and retention efforts, and it will ultimately make our country less prepared against credible threats. It will make our nation far less safe. It is a needless and cruel action that does the exact opposite of his stated intention.”

Iowa State Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, who LPAC was extremely proud to endorse, testified against the Iowa bill removing discrimination protections for transgender people. She told lawmakers: “I transitioned to save my life,” and shared the following statement with LPAC:

“As a state our Motto is ‘Our Liberties We Prize and our Rights We will Maintain.’ It is profoundly insulting that the majority would bring a bill that strips transgender Iowans of their Civil Rights, let alone bring it to the floor. This bill is profoundly un-American, and un-Iowan. I call on everyone to write their legislators, show up at the capitol and tell our leaders that Iowa stands against this bill.”

”When one of the LGBTQ+ community is attacked, we all are” said Janelle Perez, Executive Director of LPAC. “There is absolutely no LGBTQ without the T. This is not the time to be silent, fearing they don’t come for us. This is the time to be allies, to model the allyship we hope others will show to us, and live our allyship by speaking up and out about the injustices we see.”