Independence Day Message from AVER President

Pride Month 2025 proved to be a very difficult period for the LGBTQ+ military community with the termination of Transgender service in the armed forces and the renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk, a move calculated to insult LGBTQ+ Americans at a time we celebrate who we are. The end of Transgender service is particularly difficult for American Veterans for Equal Rights, the nation’s oldest LGBTQ+ veterans service organization. As we commemorated our 35th anniversary the loss of Trans service was a difficult setback. Our stated mission and continued goal is the establishment of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender military service. No one is left behind. We are deeply saddened at the loss of careers and skills necessary to the defense of our nation. In the midst of these challenging times AVER marches on. On Saturday June 7th AVER had the honor of leading the World Pride Parade in Washington DC, and on June 23 we participated in the Congressional VSO Roundtable at the Capitol. In this our 35th year of service we stand strong in our resolve to create a more representative military force that reflects the diversity of the American people. We want to thank our many faithful members and supporters for keeping the long watch with us for these many years.

AVER Color Guard leading World Pride Parade

Caption: Members of AVER lead the World Pride Parade on June 7th in Washington, DC.

American Veterans for Equal Rights was formed in our nation’s capitol in Washington, DC, on May 17, 1990. For 35 years AVER has fought for the right of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender men and women to serve with freedom and authenticity in the United States Armed Forces. Through the years we have suffered defeats and celebrated victories. Our mission, especially in light of the loss of Transgender service, is on-going. There is no greater honor and no more vital mission than the defense of the United States Constitution. Until everyone who is capable of serving is allowed to do so without discrimination, we will continue to fight. Happy Anniversary to us. We got this.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER)

Today’s ruling by the United States Supreme Court to allow President Trump’s ban on Transgender service members to go into immediate effect will be a terrible blow to national security. The move by SCOTUS will terminate the service of pilots, weapons engineers, doctors, drill instructors, special forces and other highly trained and dedicated member of our armed forces for no other reason than ignorance and discrimination. While lower courts have issued stays against the ban, finding it likely unconstitutional, today’s ruling allows the ban to go into effect even as the other cases proceed.

“Transgender volunteers have been serving openly for over a decade” said AVER President Penn Baker, herself a Transgender US Navy veteran, “and their service alone is proof that that Transgender personnel are a tremendous asset to military readiness. Throughout our military’s long history the civilian court system has often deferred to military justice, allowing statements such as ‘X is incompatible with military service’ to bar women, racial minorities, and gay people from opportunities to serve. We thought we had moved beyond such discrimination, and we are confidant that the pending cases will overturn yet another unjust policy.”

AVER, which has been fighting LGBTQ+ bans for over 35 years, stands in solidarity with our fellow veterans and active duty service organizations in opposing policies that deny opportunity and remove vital skills from the military. The American people are less safe as a result of this action.

AVER – American Veterans for Equal Rights, Inc. is extremely proud to announce that AVER Chicago Chapter member Alejandra Hernandez has been named one of the 25 Illinois Women Veteran Leaders of 2025 by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and the VA Women’s Health Department. In a group that included U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, Ale Hernandez, a veteran of our United States Marine Corps, was recognized for her work with the Road Home Program at Rush which provides support and health services to help veterans and their families heal from the invisible wounds of war. The prestigious honor is awarded to women who are passionate advocates for the veteran community. Congratulations Ale! AVER is very proud of this significant achievement.

Penn Baker

AVER National President