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These Signs From The Trans Military Ban Protest Will Make You Ready To Resist

by Katherine Speller
Scott Olson/Getty Images News/Getty Images

On Wednesday President Donald Trump made a multi-tweet announcement that the United States would no longer allow transgender individuals to openly serve in the military — claiming that the military couldn't be "burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption." Hours later, hundreds of furious people, armed with protest signs against discrimination of transgender people in service, flooded New York City's Time Square to push back against the ban.

In his tweets announcing the move on Wednesday, Trump wrote:

[P]lease be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. 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.

Naturally, protesters (including trans individuals and their allies) were determined to remind Trump that transgender folks who choose to serve the country in the military are not a burden.

Among the sea of uniform signs reading "resist" (in the colors of the transgender flag), protesters flexed their solidarity, outrage, disgust, and policy know-how in their signs. Here's just a few of the stand-outs to remind everyone, once more for the people in the back, that #TransRightsAreHumanRights.

What Is This Really About?

The numbers don't add up.

This One Literally Says It All

Trans people who dedicate their lives to service deserve more than this.

"Trans People Are Not Disruptions"

Say it louder.

Trans Rights Are Human Rights

Check out that chanting.

Protesters Refuse To Accept This

It's really that simple.

#NotABurden

It's called "service," Mr. President.

Note The Two Circles.

Venn Diagrams don't lie.

TL;DR

Brevity is the soul of wit.

Although they made a powerful statement, Wednesday's protest was just the start of the long fight against this ban.