Kirsten Gillibrand is bringing trans service member to State of the Union

United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced on Monday (4 February) she plans to bring a transgender service member to Donald Trump’s State of the Union on Tuesday (5 February).

Gillibrand made the announcement on Twitter.

Her guest is Navy Lieutenant Commander Blake Dremann. As she writes in the tweet, Dremann was the first openly trans service member to receive a promotion in the history of the US military.

Patriots like Lt. Commander Blake Dremann—the first openly transgender servicemember to be promoted in our military’s history, and the president of @sparta_pride—make our armed forces and our country stronger. I’m honored he’ll be joining me at the State of the Union. pic.twitter.com/hzjIiMll5U

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) February 4, 2019

Throughout his military service, Dremann has been deployed 11 times. He has also received several accolades, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Dremann is also the president of SPARTA, an organization dedication to educating service members on trans issues.

Three other lawmakers also announced their intentions to bring a trans service member as their guest to the address.

Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH), an openly LGBTI member of Congress, is one. He will be bringing Tavion Dignard. The other two lawmakers are Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Rep. A. Donald McEachin (D-VA).

Last year, Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-MA) also brought a trans service member.

The announcement of such guests comes on the heels of the Supreme Court’s decision to stay an injunction on Trump’s trans military ban.

Gillibrand, who is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is also running for President in the 2020 election.

See also

70% of Americans believe trans people should be able to serve in the military

Rep. Maxine Waters calls for full LGBTI equality

Nonbinary NASA intern slams trans military ban in viral tweet