Democratic Presidential hopeful Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) announced on Monday plans to bring a transgender Navy officer as her guest to Tuesday’s State of the Union address, in a clear rebuke of President Donald Trump’s proposed ban on transgender individuals from serving openly.
Lt. Cmdr. Blake Dremman, who joined the Navy through Officer Candidacy School in 2006, currently serves as a supply management officer at Fort Belvoir, Va. and has deployed 11 times in a variety of duties both at sea and in Afghanistan.
“Lt. Cmdr. Dremann is a proud member of the U.S. Navy, he is a loyal patriot who has devoted his career to serving and protecting our country, and he is also one of the thousands of transgender service members serving in our military with honor and distinction," Gillibrand said.
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He’s also the first openly transgender service member to be promoted in the military, a fact Gillibrand highlighted on twitter. The active-duty sailor is also president of SPARTA, an LGBT organization that advocates and educates service members on trans military policies.
Gillibrand's invitation comes after the Supreme Court recently ruled to allow President Trump’s proposed ban to temporarily move forward, as multiple lawsuits work their ways through the courts.
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Trump announced the ban in July 2017, catching senior Pentagon officials, including then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis off guard.
“Any transgender American who meets the standards should be able to sign up to join our Armed Forces,” added Gillibrand.
A member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Gillibrand is set to introduce legislation as soon as this week to protect trans service members.