Report: Majorities in every state oppose Trump’s transgender ban

A majority of people in each state oppose President Trump’s proposal to ban transgender Americans from serving in the military, according to an analysis of polling data by a group of university professors.

The analysis, published in The Washington Post on Friday, found that even in states that are typically considered socially conservative, majorities disagree with such a ban.

In Wyoming, for instance, where Trump’s proposal has the most support, 55 percent believe transgender people should be allowed to serve openly in the military, and 45 percent do not.

The analysis found similar attitudes in other red states, such as Alabama, where 61 percent believe transgender people should be allowed to serve openly and only 39 percent said they should not.

{mosads}Among the states with the least support for the ban are Vermont and Hawaii, where 75 percent said transgender people should be allowed to serve openly. In the District of Columbia, 85 percent said they should.

By using a statistical technique called multilevel regression and post stratification, which is used to estimate public opinion on the state level, the analysis found that majorities across the country support allowing transgender people to serve in the military.

Trump announced via Twitter last week that he had decided to reinstate a ban on transgender service members, a move that drew praise from socially conservative activists and widespread condemnation from LGBT groups.

Trump’s proposed ban has also prompted criticism from members of his own party, including Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the chairman of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee.

“There is no reason to force service members who are able to fight, train, and deploy to leave the military — regardless of their gender identity,” McCain said in a statement following the president’s announcement.

The Pentagon has said it will continue to allow transgender people to serve until the White House issues new guidance on the matter. The Obama administration lifted a ban on transgender military service last year.