Yesterday, the first day of Pride Month, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) joined Congressman Jimmy Panetta and 38 other colleagues in introducing the Armed Forces Transgender Dependent Protection Act, legislation which bars the Department of Defense from stationing service members in states or countries which restrict or forbid gender-affirming health care treatments.  

According to a count conducted by CNN, 29 states have introduced legislation to curb the rights of transgender people to access health care. Congresswoman Jacobs is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Military Personnel Subcommittee and a member of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus.  

“Trans individuals serve in our military, belong to military families, and sacrifice for our country — and they deserve access to lifesaving health care, including gender-affirming care. I’m grateful that the Armed Forces Transgender Dependent Protection Act would ensure that trans military family members can get access to this vital care, no matter where their family is stationed. As the sister to a trans brother and a gender non-conforming sibling, I am proud to join Congressman Panetta on this important legislation,” said Congresswoman Jacobs. 

“Despite the progress that we have made in our fight for LGBTQ equality, service members and their transgender dependents continue to face hurdles that threaten their development,” said Congressman Panetta.  “This straightforward legislation would prevent the Department of Defense from assigning a military family with a trans dependent to a state or country that prohibits providing gender affirming healthcare needed by transgender individuals.  As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and Equality Caucus in Congress, I will continue to work hard so that all service members receive the same fairness and equality that they are fighting to protect.”