Institute of Politics

IOP Pritzker Fellow Alex Wagner on "Divided We Stand: The Battle Over Transgender Troops" THIS SEMINAR IS OPEN TO CURRENT UCHICAGO STUDENTS ONLY Thursday, November 16 12:30-1:45pm Shortly after taking office for the second time, President Trump issued an executive order declaring that “adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individual’s sex conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life ... [and ergo] is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member.” His Pentagon subsequently purged the military of transgender troops, ensuring those currently serving would be discharged either involuntarily or their jobs would be made so unbearable that they left on their own accord. My view is that America’s military requires healthy young Americans to join who can meet its high standards, and that includes transgender Americans. My co-IOP Fellow Dan Caldwell, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, disagrees, and we will model respectful discourse on this topic. Special Guest: Dan Caldwell, former Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Defense & Pritzker Fellow at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics Pritzker Fellows seminars are off the record and open to current UChicago students only. Seating in the IOP Living Room is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact Ella Kumano-Maloney (ikmaloney@uchicago.edu).