The Supreme Court recently allowed the Trump-era ban on transgender service members to go into effect, reigniting debates about personal freedoms, trust in public institutions, and the role of gun rights advocates in social issues.

This ruling permits the discharge or barring of individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria from military service, prompting discussions about what this means for LGBTQ Americans and those who defend constitutional freedoms.

Wes Siler (follow on Substack), an outdoorsman, prominent 2A advocate, and Montana Senate candidate known for bridging communities, weighed in on the controversy in an exclusive correspondence with GunsAmerica:

“If a person is dedicated to protecting the freedoms promised to all Americans, and can pass the requirements necessary, why shouldn’t they be allowed to serve their country?” Siler asked pointedly.

Siler’s experiences with marginalized communities, especially LGBTQ youth, have shaped his understanding. Working directly with homeless youth, many of whom were transgender, he emphasized a truth: “Trans people are people, just like everyone else. If there’s anything that makes them different, it’s the challenges they face.”

Many believe those challenges are substantial. Trans individuals face a suicide risk 19 times greater than the general population and government-targeted discrimination can exacerbate this risk dramatically—by as much as 72 percent, according to Siler.

Addressing whether Trump’s transgender military ban erodes trust between LGBTQ Americans and public institutions, Siler remarked:

“It’s a remarkable testament to strength of character that people from a community targeted for hatred and discrimination would dedicate themselves to serve the very people who discriminate against them. That’s exactly the kind of person who has the capacity to lead.”

But should gun-rights organizations speak out more forcefully about such issues, or would that be outside their scope? According to Siler, it aligns squarely with their mission:

“The purpose of the Second Amendment is to give Americans the ability to defend their other rights. Any organization claiming to stand for 2A must also acknowledge the importance of the rights it was written to protect.”

For Siler, there’s no contradiction between robust 2A advocacy and pushing back against policies that marginalize LGBTQ individuals. In fact, he views self-defense as fundamental for those facing the highest risks:

“Trans people are four times more likely to be victims of violent crime, with risks compounded for women and people of color. A Black trans woman faces a greater threat of violence than virtually any other American. If anyone embodies the necessity of the Second Amendment for self-defense, it’s the trans community.”

Reflecting broadly on the issue, Siler highlights a historical pattern that should be considered:

“History’s villains have always risen to power by dividing cultures against themselves, persecuting those least able to defend themselves. The persecutions faced by Christians in ancient Rome or Jews in 1930s Germany are reminders playing out today with trans people and immigrants. History’s lessons are clear; it is our responsibility to learn from them.”

This intersection between LGBTQ rights and Second Amendment advocacy isn’t new, but maybe now, in light of recent developments, it demands renewed focus.

I mean, what do you think?  Do you agree with Wes?  Or do you support Trump’s transgender military ban? 

Also, should pro-2A organizations actively engage in this dialogue, or does it stretch beyond their scope?

For more insights from Wes Siler, visit WesSiler.Substack.com.

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