Legislature’s anti-LGBTQ bills will hurt Kentucky’s military families | Opinion

As a proud Army veteran, I am deeply concerned with the largely undiscussed harm that the current wave of health care restrictions for LGBTQ+ families being passed in state legislatures will have on our military families. I am writing to be a voice on behalf of those who will be significantly impacted by these harmful laws, specifically SB 150 here in Kentucky.

The negative effects of these laws on our military community cannot be overstated, with more than 31,000 active duty soldiers at Fort Knox and Fort Campbell, 12,000 guard and reserve service members, and 10,000 military civilians in Kentucky. LGBTQ+ service members and families often rely on specialized care off-post, and laws such as SB 150 will make it harder, if not impossible, to receive necessary services.

The Exceptional Family Medical Program (EFMP), which provides care to military families, is now having to classify states as safe or unsafe for LGBTQ+ service members because of the flood of anti-LGBTQ+ bills sweeping through red state legislatures. This is not the future we want for Kentucky. Politicians shouldn’t be posing as physicians, writing bills like SB 150 that endanger Kentuckians and run counter to medical best practices and Kentucky values. In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) formally recommended giving youth “access to comprehensive gender-affirming and developmentally appropriate health care.” And again in 2021, announced its opposition to public policies that prohibit trans minors from having access to gender-affirming care.

Kentucky parents, students and medical professionals all testified against SB 150, yet the Kentucky General Assembly still advanced this prejudicial legislation. As a last ditch effort to lift up the voices of my military brothers and sisters, I’m hoping our concerns will reignite conversation before the final override veto vote. As promised, Governor Andy Beshear vetoed SB 150.

For those who aren’t familiar with a military lifestyle, change of station for our active duty is challenging enough without the added fear of being moved to a state where their child can’t receive essential care, or will be bullied or harassed because of the precedent these bills set with their anti-rhetoric. Our deployed soldiers need to be able to focus on their mission and stay safe, not losing sleep worrying about the basic rights and well-being of their families back home. This is unacceptable and goes against our core values as a nation that supports its military and their families. These laws will only add to the already significant stress that our troops and their families experience.

As a veteran, I know firsthand the sacrifices that our military families make. It is our duty as a nation to ensure they have access to the care and services they need to thrive. If LGBTQ+ people, and others, do not have the right to bodily autonomy, to live their daily lives without fear and harassment, we will never know true freedom. We simply cannot tolerate cruel, discriminatory laws that harm our LGBTQ+ service members and their families. For the sake of our national defense, combat readiness, and the mental health of our troops, Kentucky must reaffirm its support for LGBTQ+ service members and their families by rejecting SB 150.

Moore resides in Lexington, Kentucky and is an Army veteran who served two tours in Africa and Afghanistan. Moore is also a candidate for House District 45.