In an incredibly unusual move, the Air Force intends to inform hundreds of thousands of its employees that it will provide medical and legal assistance to families if they are personally affected by new state laws targeting gay and transgender children.
And if members of this service feel they need to leave these countries entirely, for the mental or physical health of their children, the Air Force will also assist them in that matter.
The Air Force is the only branch of the U.S. military that does this. Its leaders said goodbye to staff late last month, inside and out Press releaseWith few resources if they need help navigating state anti-LGBTQ laws that could harm their families.
In particular, the Air Force leadership tells service members that military medical facilities are available to them or for the mental health of their children if they need to comply with new laws in states such as of Florida, where schools are prohibited from talking about gender identity or sexual orientation, or Texas. Government officials should investigate parents of transgender children for child abuse.
They also tell service members that military legal personnel are available for free advice to families looking to understand their legal protections in states targeting gay and transgender children.
The largest air base in the world is also located in Florida: Eglin Air Force Base.
“Our health, care and endurance [Air Force] “Staff and their families are not only our top priority, they are essential to our mission,” said Gina Ortiz Jones, Deputy Secretary of the Air Force. “We closely monitor state laws and regulations to ensure we are prepared and mitigate the impact on our planes, carers and their families. “Medical, legal and other assistance is available to those who need it.”
The Air Force leadership also tells staff that they can rely on an existing program, a special program for family members, if they need to move to another state where there is a safer environment for their family. or for LGBTQ children. Such a move could apply, for example, to a Texas -based Air Force member raising a transgender child in need of sex -reinforcement care, such as hormone therapy.
“Like all members of our family, if a family member doesn’t have the help, commanders can work to assign a service member where their loved ones can get the care they need,” Jones said.
This was a surprisingly bold move by the Air Force, even though it did not receive much media attention despite the Federal Information Network. Flag label Late last month. As part of the federal government, the Air Force is prohibited from weighing state laws. But its leadership is clearly concerned that the latest wave of anti -LGBTQ laws and directives could harm the health and welfare of Air Force families in these areas.
“The Air Force Department is putting policy expertise and compassion behind the issue of great administrative concern.” Family readiness is the key to combat readiness, “said retired Lieutenant General Bruce Wright, president of Air and Space Association, at HuffPost. ”Caring for all aircraft, carers and their families, regardless of their challenges, is a core leadership principle and the department demonstrates a real and practical commitment here. “
The Air Force’s actions came after Republicans decided on a political strategy to attack gay and transgender children ahead of the 2022. Florida Governor Ron Desantis and Texas Governor Greg Abbott are leading this evil push – the two are likely the 2024 presidential candidates – but they’re not. Only Republican leaders are struggling to get life -making laws for LGBTQ youth.
Not to be outdone, Alabama Governor Kay Ivy (R) on Friday The law was signed It is an offense, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, for parents and doctors to provide gender-neutral care to transgender children, such as hormone therapy. Ivy also signed a law prohibiting transgender children from using school restrooms and locker rooms appropriate to their gender identity and a law restricting class discussions about gender and sexual orientation.
“These policies, bills, and laws are causing real harm and disaster to LGBTQ +families,” said Dolphin Luno, spokesman for the human rights campaign. “Like any good employer, the Air Force acts to support their serving members and their families.”
Luno added, “We hope that service members and their families who are experiencing a wave of discrimination law in the legislatures of many states will benefit from the support services offered by the Air Force and HRC will continue to strive. to reverse these actions. Horrible laws. “
Most schools operating Air Force installations are part of the local school district, which means they are governed by state laws rather than federal laws. But other Air Force programs for children and youth, such as after -school sports teams, are not regulated by state authorities.
Air Force leaders have not yet received any requests for legal assistance from staff related to the effects of these laws against LGBTQ, Air Force spokeswoman Laurel Tingley said. They also do not know if the use of mental health services has increased because they are not monitored.
Right now, focusing on the Air Force only means letting staff know that their employer is turning away if they need it, he said.
” [Air Force] “Proactively make sure our planes, carers and their families know the help available as they explore their options,” Tingley said.
Source: Huffpost
