On September 20, our gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members will finally be able to serve openly in the military—but transsexual service members will not. In fact, the military continues to discriminate against transsexual people, calling their sexual identification a psychosexual condition akin to a disease. In fact, they group it with conditions such as exhibitionism, voyeurism and other fetishes, rather than the born-this-way existence that the LGBT community and its allies have been working so hard for people to accept. In fact, trans people are not allowed to serve in the military—whether they are already in the military and discovered or wish to enlist and are openly transgender.

In support of our transgender service members, a moment of silence is being held on September 20. The Transgender American Veterans Association is simultaneously congratulating the transgender community for their efforts to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell as they honor those who still must remain silent in order to serve. As eager as our politicians and military are to embrace and honor those who’ve died or sacrificed so much for their country, they do not seem to be able to offer the same level of love toward transgender service members who die and/or sacrifice just as much.

Please keep them in your thoughts this September 20, and spread the word. People giving up many of their freedoms to die and protect our own should at least have the freedom to be who they are without fear of punishment.

You can also spread the word about the day of silence via its Facebook page. Be sure to sign up and invite friends and family to participate. The more people who spend energy thanking our transgender vets and service members on that day, the more hope we have in a day where secrecy is no longer required.