TRANSGENDER SERVICE MEMBERS SUE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER DENIAL OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS

More than a dozen transgender service members from the U.S. Air Force and Space Force have filed a federal lawsuit claiming they were forced out of active duty without retirement benefits under the Trump administration’s new military policy.

The 17 plaintiffs — each with 15 to 18 years of service — say the new rule announced in February requires all transgender service members to be removed from duty unless granted a rare, case-by-case waiver.

Master Sgt. Logan Ireland, a 15-year Air Force veteran and the lead plaintiff, said:

“It felt like a betrayal. I’ve given my life to the Air Force.”

Many of the service members say they were placed on administrative leave, unable to relocate, work, or plan for retirement.

Legal groups GLAD Law and the National Center for LGBTQ Rights are representing the plaintiffs in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.