'Is an "LGBT" not a man or woman?': Sarah Jessica Parker sparks controversy with 'divisive' Memorial Day tribute giving a special mention to LBGT veterans
- Sarah Jessica Parker caused controversy by including a special mention in her Instagram tribute to fallen soldiers on Memorial Day
- She wrote about remembering 'all our men, women, LGBT veterans who sacrificed, who gave selflessly and with grace'
- But her followers criticized her for being divisive by pointing out the difference
Sarah Jessica Parker sparked outrage by including a special mention to LGBT veterans in her tribute to fallen soldiers on Memorial Day.
The Sex and the City star, 54, was criticized for encouraging division and reinforcing stereotypes with her Instagram post on Monday.
The actress, who has 5.4 million Instagram followers said: 'On this Memorial Day it is an honor to remember all our men, women, LGBT veterans who sacrificed, who gave selflessly and with grace. You have our lasting gratitude. X, SJ.'
Sarah Jessica Parker, (pictured), sparked outrage by including a special mention to LGBT veterans in her tribute to fallen soldiers on Memorial Day
![The Sex and the City star, 54, was criticized for encouraging division and reinforcing stereotypes with her Instagram post, remembering 'all our men, women, [and] LGBT veterans'](http://web.archive.org/web/20190531042848/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/05/28/19/14067540-7079359-image-a-4_1559069741143.jpg)
![The Sex and the City star, 54, was criticized for encouraging division and reinforcing stereotypes with her Instagram post, remembering 'all our men, women, [and] LGBT veterans'](http://web.archive.org/web/20190531042848im_/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/05/28/19/14067540-7079359-image-a-4_1559069741143.jpg)
The Sex and the City star, 54, was criticized for encouraging division and reinforcing stereotypes with her Instagram post, remembering 'all our men, women, [and] LGBT veterans'
Parker, who is a vocal supporter of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community and recently appeared at the GLAAD Awards.
Fans praised her comments, but others accused Parker of being too 'politically correct' by giving LGBTQ members of the military — some of whom may have identified as non-binary — a special mention.
@tracybeautystylist wrote: 'Why can’t it just be everyone that served? Are we so politically correct that we can’t just honor ALL veterans?
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'Without singling out certain groups? I have a transgender relative. The last thing he wants is to be singled out. His sexuality has absolutely nothing to do with service?.'
Another named @blindsie claimed: 'They aren’t lgbt veterans, they are veterans. They all paid the same price and in death all have the same worth. Nothing divides them now.'
@melody.worsham said: 'People have good intentions when they are being “PC”. However, I believe it creates segregation and categories, further exacerbating stereotypes already in place.'
Parker, who is a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ community and recently appeared at the GLAAD Awards in March, which recognize the media for inclusive representations of LGBT issues
President Donald Trump in 2017 announced a plan to ban transgender people from the military, reversing Democratic former President Barack Obama's policy of allowing transgender troops to serve openly and get medical transition care.
In March 2018, Trump backed a revised policy from then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
It banned, in some circumstances, transgender people with gender dysphoria, or distress due to internal conflict between physical gender and gender identity.
The Mattis policy also banned transgender people who seek or have undergone gender transition steps.
Instagram fans praised her comments, but others accused Parker of being too 'politically correct' by giving LGBTQ members of the military a special mention
SJP's post may have been an acknowledgement of service members targeted by Trump's ban, but it still managed to provoke a backlash for being too divisive.
Another Instagram user claimed: 'They aren’t LGBT veterans, they are veterans. They all paid the same price and in death all have the same worth. Nothing divides them now.'
@luna28rudy wrote: 'Lord Jesus... I’m waiting for the special Muslim service people shout out. Make me vomit.'
One fan came to Parker’s defense, writing that 'they aren’t respected in the same way by our ‘president’ — hence the need to be inclusive.'
'I love that you included ALL,' another fan wrote.
Donald Trump in 2017 announced a plan to ban transgender people from the military, reversing Democratic former President Barack Obama's policy of allowing transgender troops to serve openly and get medical transition care
Under the Obama administration, the Pentagon announced that transgender people already serving in the military would be allowed to serve openly.
Trump reversed that policy beginning in 2017 with a tweet that the government would not allow 'Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military.'
An estimated 14,700 troops on active duty and in the Reserves identify as transgender, but not all seek treatment.
Since July 2016, more than 1,500 service members were diagnosed with gender dysphoria; as of Feb. 1, there were 1,071 currently serving.
The Pentagon says it has spent about $8 million on transgender care since 2016. The military’s annual health care budget tops $50 billion.
In March, A non-binding resolution opposing Trump’s transgender ban passed 238-185.
Every Democrat supported the resolution, while nearly every Republican voted against it.
