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).
In response to the Florida ‘Don’t’ Say Gay Bill,’ Disney employees staged a companywide walkout after CEO Bob Chapek was late to condemn the legislation. Cheddar News speaks with Maxx Fenning, president at Florida LGBTQ+ advocacy group PRISM on the issue.
Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code and author of "Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work (and Why It's Different Than You Think), joined Cheddar to discuss the many challenges for women in the workplace after the upheaval caused by the pandemic and the solutions she presents.
Hate crimes from the start of 2022 against Asians reportedly more than doubled compared to 2021, according to the NYPD. Amid the surge of attacks, Amber Reed, the president and co-founder of the grassroots organization AAPI Montclair, joined Cheddar News to talk about how it's looking to help Asian Americans with classes and techniques to defend themselves. “We're seeing racism literally killing people who look like us, and these self defense classes are a chance for us to rewrite a narrative of victimhood into one of empowerment," she said. "We learn first how to be aware of our surroundings because we know that being distracted, appearing weak can make you a target, and then that we focus on disengagement."
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that she has tested positive again for COVID-19 and will not accompany President Joe Biden to Europe for meetings on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Reshma Saujani, the founder of the nonprofit Girls Who Code, discusses the workplace inequities further exposed by the pandemic and her latest book, "Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work (and Why It's Different Than You Think).
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the United States, along with much of the Western world, has imposed economic sanctions on Russia’s economy and its oligarchs. And these measures are costing these oligarchs — billions. So what exactly is an oligarch and what are their ties to Putin and the ongoing invasion? And will sanctioning them work?
Ketanji Brown Jackson is forcefully defending her record as a federal judge, telling senators she will rule “from a position of neutrality” if she is confirmed as the first Black woman on the high court.
Ukraine remains defiant as the Russian invasion is approaching its fourth week. Cheddar News speaks with Former Obama Campaign Foreign Policy Advisor David Tafuri, on Russia’s war efforts so far and how it might shift tactics moving forward.
While investors soured on Fed Chair Jerome Powell's remarks on interest rates Monday, Anthony Saccaro, Founder and President at Providence Financial explains why he is supportive of the Fed's approach on Cheddar News' Closing Bell.
