July 13, 2016

Pentagon and Congressional Leaders Address Symposium on Transgender Military Service

Under Secretary of Defense Peter Levine, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, addressed a July 13, 2016 symposium on transgender military service in Washington, DC. The symposium, titled “Inclusive Military Policy: Transgender Service, Like Repealing DADT, Strengthens the Force,” followed Defense Secretary Ashton Carter’s June 30, 2016 announcement of the lifting of the Pentagon’s ban on transgender personnel.
Speakers included Major General Gale Pollock, USA (Ret.) and Rear Admiral Alan Steinman, USCG (Ret.) representing the community of retired General and Flag Officers; Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Victor Valenzuela, Army Captain Sage Fox, and Army Staff Sergeant A. Nazzal representing 12,800 transgender troops serving currently; Major Kimberly Moore, USMC (Ret.) representing 134,000 transgender veterans; and British Army Captain Hannah Winterbourne, representing 19 militaries that allow transgender service. The symposium was organized by the Palm Center and co-sponsored by 13 organizations.

Schedule

Press Release

Congressman Hoyer’s Remarks