Laverne Cox Reacts To Trump's Trans Military Ban With A Call To Action

Early morning tweets from Donald Trump are par for the course at this point, but on Wednesday morning, POTUS issued a major policy change on the social media platform. Trump is banning transgender individuals from serving in the military because of the "the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail." In response, many celebrities have been sharing their opinions on the matter and that includes Laverne Cox, who reacted to Trump banning transgender people from the military in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

Cox's statement reads in full:

"I have met many transgender Americans over the years who have served or are currently serving our country in the military. I have heard from them humiliating stories of being misgendered and experiencing various kinds of mistreatment when they are willing to put their lives on the line in ways many of us would never do including our current President. This latest reversal of another Obama administration policy continues to send the message to trans Americans that our lives, our safety and service are less valuable and unwanted in this country, the country I love and hold so dear. Let's all come together and send the message to trans Americans that despite what this president and administration proclaims that trans lives, safety and service are valuable, that they matter."

Cox, who is openly transgender herself, is a vocal advocate for the LGBT community when it comes to equal rights and representation. In her statement, the Orange Is the New Black star does not just decry Trump's policy, but points out why it's so harmful to reverse the decision to allow transgender people to serve in the military openly. She also points out that many trans people are already serving in the military, which is something Trump himself didn't sound totally clear on as his series of tweets read in part, "Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail."

In the end, Cox issues a call to action — a call for anyone who supports the trans community to come together and show that what is really important is the safety and respect that trans Americans deserve.