Sparta - A Transgender Military Advocacy Organization

Well, this isn’t how we expected Pride Month to begin — with a mix of good and bad news regarding trans military ban litigation. Here’s our quick and dirty take on the developments; read more in our press release: https://spartapride.org/2026/06/press-release-appeals-court-talbott/

SPARTA Pride needs your support on Give Out Day, June 4 — but you can give early starting today, May 28! Donate anytime between May 28-June 30 at giveoutday.org/spartapride.

Give Out Day is the only national day of giving for LGBTQ+ organizations. Why support SPARTA Pride for it? We give back to those who served. We need your financial support to help us raise $7,500 for our Jess Shipps Emergency Relief Fund, offering critical microgrants to trans service members, veterans, and families impacted by the recent ban on transgender military service.

100% of donations from Give Out Day will go to this fund, and donations of any amount help make a difference. If you can’t afford to donate, please consider sharing to help us increase our impact!

Who's ready for Pride season?! If you'll be at Capital Pride in DC, come march with us and several partner organizations to represent LGBTQ+ service members, veterans, family members, and allies! Sign up here: https://givebutter.com/dcmarch2026

A Memorial Day reflection from the SPARTA Pride team. May we never forget them 🇺🇸

In March 2025, Arlington National Cemetery removed its webpage dedicated to Women’s History, a resource that once made it easy to explore the names, stories, and resting places of servicewomen laid to rest there.

As we approach Memorial Day, we invite our community to honor the women who gave their lives in service to our nation. Their sacrifice protected our freedoms and paved the way for the rights and opportunities women have today.

Those stories are visible and accessible on our website. You can now explore the lives and locations of these remarkable women through our dedicated page.

For those able to visit Arlington National Cemetery, we encourage you to walk its grounds with intention, visit their graves, reflect on their service, and carry their stories forward.

If you’re unable to visit in person, you can still be part of this remembrance. Take time to read, learn, and share their stories. When we tell their stories, we ensure their legacy lives on and continues to inspire future generations.

Explore their stories here: https://foundationforwomenwarriors.org/the-women-of-arlington-national-cemetery/

The SPARTA Pride team is incredibly grateful to the Pritzker Military Foundation and TAWANI Enterprises for the generous gift of $20,000. This vital funding will enable SPARTA Pride to hire and sustain staff dedicated to supporting programs, managing membership, and advancing advocacy efforts for the transgender military and veteran community.

Read more in the press release: https://pritzkermilitaryfoundation.org/press-release/pritzker-military-foundation-commits-20000-to-support-transgender-service-members/

This year, on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), we resolve to stand strong and stand together.

The federal and many state governments continue to unleash an onslaught of legislation and policies in an attempt to discourage, silence, and erase us. Recently, this escalated when the administration noted “radical pro-transgender ideology” as a concern in its counterterrorism strategy.

This doesn’t indicate that every trans American will be considered a threat, and the document’s purported goal is to find and prevent political violence (thanks for this reminder !). However, this vague and inflammatory rhetoric creates a climate of fear and silence. It warps reality and chills dissent. It threatens our safety. It paints advocates and advocacy organizations like ours as threats to America, rather than as the patriotic Americans we are.

But we know we are not a threat and we will continue to fight *peacefully* for our rights. Read through the slides for more of our takes and insight on how we’re thinking about this development at SPARTA Pride.