"this bogus policy has no business in the policies of the military or the United States of America."
"Despite living in a nation where many discriminate against you, you made a choice that fewer and fewer Americans make, you joined the military and risked your lives and your families' well-beings for ..."
"And how has the administration thanked you? By treating you like a liability, not an asset; by maliciously jeopardizing your careers and trivializing your sacrifice."
"There is simply no rigorous evidence that transgender service members hamper unit cohesion or readiness."
"So to somehow suggest that they suffer from depression would be, they suffer from depression just like other service members may suffer from depression?"
"Being here in the same room as senior Defense Department officials, in front of the Congress, representing yourselves and your fellow transgender service members, even in your civilian capacities, tak..."
"I feel strongly that any transgender person who can meet occupational standards should be allowed to serve in our Armed Forces."
"I believe that the transgender service ban is discriminatory, unconstitutional, and self-defeating."
"Open transgender service the last 2½ years has been an unequivocal success."
"Not allowing transgender service members to join the military would cost us recruits at a time so few Americans are willing to serve."
"Transgender troops have the right to serve as their full selves and shouldn't have to live in fear of being found out."