How One Trump Tweet Changed These Service Members' Lives

Imagine getting a promotion only to find out shortly after you may just lose your job entirely. That’s what happened to the subjects of “TransMilitary,” a documentary following four trans military service members. “Everyone was doing great. Then this [Trump] tweet happened, and now all their lives are back in jeopardy once again,” Fiona Dawson, co-director of the film, told Cheddar. Last July President Donald Trump shocked the world when he [tweeted](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/890193981585444864)[ that](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/890196164313833472)[ trans](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/890197095151546369) people would be banned from serving in the military, citing concerns over associated medical costs. But a federal judge ended up blocking the administration’s proposal in November, putting back in place an Obama-era policy that allowed transgender service members to serve and enlist openly. There are currently more than 15,000 trans individuals serving in the military, according to the National Center for Transgender Equality. Dawson said that these numbers make the U.S. military the largest transgender employer. “So that tweet [was] good and bad,” she said. It “gave us the chance to have this conversation.” TransMilitary debuted over the weekend at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Tex. For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/exploring-the-lives-of-trans-service-members-in-transmilitary).

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