In Support of Transgender Lives

Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), in accordance with its policy on non-discrimination, fully supports the rights of transgender people and the right of gender determination. Furthermore, the policy will be implemented by: 

1. working to ensure its organizing activities are welcoming spaces for transgender people; 
2. educating members on transgender struggles; 
3. working with organizations that recognize the fight for transgender rights; 
4. building with current and future leaders of IVAW to fully uphold our policies; and 
5. updating IVAW documentation to reflect gender diversity.

IVAW is proud to be comprised of transgender members and to fight for transgender activists like Chelsea Manning. Discrimination against transgender people is a source of violence that senselessly claims lives in murder and suicide. Adhering to a strict gender binary and privileging cisgenderism are weapons of patriarchy and war that violently divide our community. IVAW is vigilant in its efforts to protect itself and unify its community to achieve a world free from senseless violence and war. Our mission calls us to transform ourselves, military culture, and United States society, and we must do this on every front of oppression to end militarism and be part of the collective liberation in accordance with our vision.

(For further reading, check out http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/16462-transphobia-has-no-place-in-feminism)

Sincerely,

The Board of Iraq Veterans Against the War

The Queer Veteran Caucus of IVAW

The Staff of IVAW