Sparta Pride

10/23/2026

This morning, the The New York Times broke a story about a trend that we at SPARTA Pride have been monitoring on the ground: Despite instructions to separate qualified trans troops based on identity or diagnosis alone, some military boards are voting to retain them anyway. Read our press release, which gives more background and links to the article: https://spartapride.org/2026/10/press-release-separation-boards-retention/

Unlike typical military separation boards, those directed by this policy don’t allow for case-by-case consideration or board discretion. While the service member’s lawyer can present their record, decorations, deployments, accomplishments, and witness testimony, the board is told to ignore all of it and vote to discharge if there’s even a hint of them being transgender.

An increasing number of boards, especially in the Navy and Marines, are no longer blindly complying. Some are upholding their oath to the Constitution, seeing the discriminatory policy for what it is and acknowledging that their branch is stronger with that person in it. While the service secretary can overrule them, we remain hopeful that this is a sign that service members do not support how this policy treats those who serve alongside them.

10/21/2026

Congrats to our long-time member Logan Ireland — and our current Membership Director and Board Member — for being recognized in the annual Out100 list. Fittingly, he was selected in the Groundbreaker category. Read the write-up here: https://www.out.com/out100/2026/groundbreakers/logan-ireland

Logan and his wife Laila Ireland have been at the forefront of the fight for open transgender military service since the beginning. Over a decade ago, they advocated with military and political leaders to end the long-standing ban. They were featured in several documentaries and became mentors to countless others, serving as leaders in the SPARTA Pride community.

While Laila lost her military career just before the longstanding ban was lifted, Logan managed to stay in and serve openly for the past decade. Tragically, under the current ban, Logan was recently forced out and lost the career he so desperately loved and fought for.

But he continues to be a beacon of strength and support for the thousands of other trans service members and veterans, and a key part of our leadership team. He also continues to fight back as the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit over the Air Force granting him and others early retirement under the ban policy, then inexplicably rescinding it.

Logan will be the first to tell you that he doesn't do it for the kudos or glory. Like a true groundbreaker, he does it for those following in his footsteps, who will one day walk through the doors he helped open. Our community and organization is elated to see him, and our fight, be recognized. Congrats, Logan!

10/21/2026

Thank you LGBTQ Nation for highlighting SPARTA Families’ advocacy work on Capitol Hill last month!

Military families warn Congress anti-trans policies are causing early retirements & derailed careers - https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/10/military-families-warn-congress-anti-trans-policies-are-causing-early-retirements-derailed-careers/

10/20/2026

When the military takes away existing healthcare from families, and service members can no longer ensure their children will receive necessary care, they're less likely to stay in the force. That's the retention and readiness issue that SPARTA Families brought to Capitol Hill last month.

Thank you to The Advocate for highlighting our recent advocacy with lawmakers and our fight to raise awareness that policies revoking healthcare from military families is ending careers unnecessarily. Read it here: https://www.advocate.com/politics/national/military-families-suffer-transgender-cuts

10/15/2026

It’s exhausting being told that existing as transgender, or supporting trans people, is “too political.” That desiring basic rights and health care access is “a sensitive issue.” At SPARTA Pride, and as trans individuals, we’ve had countless doors shut or support withdrawn. All because those calling us names, eroding our rights, and working to erase us from society have framed our mere existence and identity as a political issue.

But we didn't ask for that, and we believe treating other human beings with dignity and respect — especially those who served their country honorably — should never be controversial. Despite what some say, empathy never went out of style.

10/13/2026

Today we commemorate the birthday of the United States Navy. On this day 251 years ago, the Continental Congress passed a resolution to establish the Continental Navy, which soon after formally became the US Navy.

Many SPARTA Pride members serve or served in our country's Navy with pride, even as the transgender service ban has ended so many of their careers. From the days of wooden ships to today's unmatched global force, the Navy has been an important part of America's story since the beginning. Thank you to all the sailors, veterans, and Navy families who have stood the watch since 1775.

10/11/2026

Today is National Coming Out Day; a time to reflect on the bravery and joys of coming out and living authentically — and support to those who haven’t yet been able to.

In today’s climate, coming out has both major risks and rewards. There’s no better example than our SPARTA Pride community: the thousands of transgender troops who came out under a policy that welcomed their service — only to now be purged for who they are. Many of us have spent the last decade serving openly with pride, meeting or exceeding all standards, until the same government we serve decided our identities are more important than our abilities.

We know all too well how coming out can cost one’s career, financial stability, legal rights, healthcare access, family, and relationships. Coming out isn’t always safe or practical. But we also know how no longer spending energy hiding, and being our full selves, improves and optimizes our lives.

Today we celebrate the strength it takes to be who we are, especially right now, whether we have come out yet or not. And we will continue to make sure we are not erased.

10/10/2026

In 1999, transgender Navy veteran Monica Helms was having dinner with Michael Page, creator of the bisexual pride flag. When he pointed out that the trans community could use one, Monica went into action and designed the iconic transgender pride flag we all know today 🏳️‍⚧️

Several years later, she founded Transgender American Veterans Association to help build support and advocacy for trans vets. This LGBTQ+ History Month, we remember Monica’s service to the country and contributions to our community 💪

Photo courtesy of Lev Raddin/Shuttershock

10/07/2026

When Zarah was a Marine Corps spouse, her husband’s supervisor at one point was a transgender man. Yes, this individual was qualified and capable, having met or exceeded the same standards as his peers. But what really stood out to Zarah was, as a leader, how well he took care of his people.

This included spouses, and Zarah recalls feeling seen and supported while he supervised her husband and they were going through turbulent times. In fact, she remembers him as one of the best Marines she ever met. This stellar service member has now lost their military career due to the current discriminatory transgender military ban.

(Credit for Photos 2-4: By U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Victoria Johnson, Sgt. Martha Linares, Cpl. Isaac Llanez Delgado)

10/05/2026

As we kick off LGBTQ+ History Month, we cannot forget that LGBTQ+ Americans are Americans. Attempting to erase LGBTQ+ history in books, classrooms, and government means silencing the stories, accomplishments, and tribulations of millions of Americans. We all pledge allegiance to the same flag; we swear an oath to serve the same country. We all bleed the same color and aspire to our Founding Fathers' promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Without LGBTQ+ history, we wouldn't know the story of Albert Cashier, a Civil War hero who happened to be a transgender man. Without LGBTQ+ history, we wouldn't know about Leonard Matlovich, a decorated Vietnam war veteran who was the first US service member to willingly out himself as gay, challenging the military's long-standing ban on homosexuality. Without LGBTQ+ history, we'd be erasing inspirational stories like that of Eric Alva, an Iraq war veteran who, with his now-husband Danny Ingram (also a veteran) both fought back against Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

There are just a few of the millions of LGBTQ+ Americans whose stories are inextricably woven into the fabric of American history. And we will not be erased.