Transgender Service Members File Urgent Lawsuit Over Benefits

UPDATE: More than a dozen transgender service members from the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force have just filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against the Trump administration, asserting they were unjustly forced to leave active duty without retirement benefits. The legal action, initiated by 17 plaintiffs who have served between 15 and 18 years, was submitted to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims by advocacy groups including GLAD Law and the National Center for LGBTQ Rights.

Lead plaintiff Master Sergeant Logan Ireland, a veteran of 15 years including combat in Afghanistan, expressed deep feelings of betrayal, stating, “I’ve given my life to the Air Force. It allowed me to be my authentic self.” Ireland has been on administrative leave since May, unable to relocate or secure new employment due to the lack of a set retirement date.

The lawsuit comes after the Defense Department’s February announcement mandating the removal of all transgender service members unless a case-by-case waiver is granted. Ireland revealed that the requirement to present as his sex assigned at birth made his service unbearable, stating, “My safety at that point was in jeopardy.”

In August, the plaintiffs had their previously issued retirement dates rescinded following the implementation of the administration’s transgender military ban. Their complaint argues that the administration’s actions have stripped them of essential health insurance and an estimated $1-2 million in pension benefits.

“This is a senseless and shocking affront to troops who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Michael Haley, a GLAD Law staff attorney. CBS News has reached out to the Department of Defense for a statement regarding the lawsuit but has yet to receive a response.

As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear a challenge to the constitutionality of the military ban, Ireland anticipates a decision may not come until October or November 2024. Until then, he remains resolute in his fight for the benefits he believes he is owed. “I’m not gonna go down without trying to fight at every angle that I can,” Ireland declared. “And if that’s through the court system, then that is where my fight is. That is my new battleground.”

This urgent lawsuit highlights the ongoing struggle for transgender rights within the military and raises critical questions about the treatment of service members who have dedicated their lives to protecting their country. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for military policy and LGBTQ+ rights nationwide, making it a pivotal moment in the ongoing fight for equality.