APA Expresses Great Disappointment in the Supreme Court Decision to Lift the Injunctions on the Administration’s Ban on Transgender Servicemembers

Jan 23, 2019

Washington, D.C. – The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is greatly disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision to lift the injunctions on the Administration’s ban on transgender servicemembers before all the lower court cases are decided.

“The APA continues to stand firmly against discrimination against anyone,” said APA President Altha Stewart, M.D. “We are extremely concerned that the military will discriminate against transgender Americans who want to serve their country while these lower court cases are being decided. Banning transgender service members from serving our country harms not just those transgender Americans who have dedicated themselves to service of others, but it unfairly casts a pall over all transgender Americans. And as psychiatrists, we know all too well the negative impact that discrimination has on the mental health of those targeted.”

The APA opposes discrimination against transgender people and calls for their civil rights to be protected.

“Our stand in support of transgender military members is rooted in our policies against discrimination in all forms,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A. “We firmly believe the United States should be more inclusive and stand against discrimination of any minority group. Losing highly qualified transgender military personnel does not benefit the military or the nation.”

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 37,800 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information please visit www.psychiatry.org.

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