Intimate Multimedia Exhibition Features Personal Stories of Shilling v. Trump Plaintiffs Beyond Their Military Roles
Lambda Legal proudly announces the launch of “Beyond the Uniform: Meet the People Behind the Service in These Intimate Portraits of Resilience,” a compelling portrait and audio series debuting this Memorial Day weekend. This innovative multimedia exhibition showcases the plaintiffs in the Shilling v. Trump case through photography paired with intimate audio recordings that reveal their values, relationships, and experiences outside their military roles.
“‘Beyond the Uniform’ invites Americans to see the complete humanity of these remarkable people who are standing up for their right to serve our country,” said Sasha Buchert, Counsel and Nonbinary and Transgender Rights Project Director, Lambda Legal. “Through their own voices and images, visitors will experience firsthand the personal lives these service members lead—their passions, relationships, dreams, and the core values that drive their commitment to service.”
The exhibition features five of our distinguished service members who are plaintiffs in Shilling v. Trump, including Commander Emily “Hawking” Shilling (United States Navy), the lead plaintiff in the case, along with Commander Blake Dremann (USN), Lieutenant Commander Geirid Morgan (USN), Sergeant First Class Cathrine “Katie” Schmid (United States Army), and Staff Sergeant Videl Leins (United States Air Force).
“The ‘Beyond the Uniform’ exhibition honors a profound truth – that transgender service members bring their whole selves to the defense of our nation. Their stories transcend policy debates and legal battles, showing us the remarkable individuals who stand ready to sacrifice for our freedoms while fighting for their own right to serve authentically. Their resilience reminds us that military strength is measured not just in weaponry, but in the diverse perspectives and unwavering commitment of those who wear the uniform,” Buchert added.
The timing of this exhibition is particularly meaningful as it launches during Memorial Day weekend, a time when the nation reflects on the sacrifices and service of military personnel.
The portrait and audio series launches online at https://lambdalegal.org/beyond-the-uniform/, and throughout the weekend on our social media channels: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, BlueSky and Threads.
About Shilling v. Trump
Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF) filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Trump administration’s ban on military service by transgender individuals. The lawsuit—brought in response to the administration’s executive order – was filed on behalf of six actively serving transgender service members, a transgender person seeking to enlist in the military, and Gender Justice League, a civil and human rights organization headquartered in Seattle.
On March 27, Lambda Legal and HRCF secured a preliminary injunction that immediately blocked enforcement of the Trump administration’s executive order banning transgender people from enlisting or continuing to serve in the military. The nationwide injunction applied to not only the lawsuit’s plaintiffs but also any similarly situated individual including service members serving outside the United States.
On March 28, the Trump Administration filed an emergency motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit seeking to stay the preliminary injunction, which was denied on April 18. The Trump Administration subsequently filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court on April 24 to stay the preliminary injunction in order to implement the executive order from the Supreme Court. Lambda Legal and HRCF submitted a response on May 1 urging the Court to reject this request.
On May 6, the United States Supreme Court granted the Trump Administration’s request to stay the preliminary injunction that had blocked enforcement of Trump’s executive order barring transgender people from enlisting or continuing to serve openly in the military. The order lifted the nationwide injunction, allowing the administration’s policy to take immediate effect while legal challenges proceed.
Visit ‘Beyond the Uniform’ here.
Find the first video on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, BlueSky and Threads.