Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick of the 66th Assembly District in Manhattan's statement on President Trump's Twitter announcement that transgender individuals will no longer be allowed to serve in the military:

"Every change in accepting new categories of people has been opposed by the military, from desegregation by President Truman to accepting women in actual fighting forces, to the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. It is extremely disappointing, although not surprising, that military advisors are reluctant to accept a new group of people for all the same reasons historically dragged out to defend their regressive opinions. It is also not surprising that President Trump has latched on to what he perceives as a wedge issue to divert attention from the vicious attempt to rip healthcare away from millions of Americans and deny women access to critical reproductive healthcare.

We know that history is on our side and will refuse to have the rights and humanity of transgender Americans diminished, while continuing to combat any attempt to repeal the ACA or any of the other rights and protections for which we have fought so hard."