California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Condemns Defense Secretary’s Targeting of Female LGBTQ+ US Navy Commander
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2025 Contacts:
Jacob Fraker | Jacob.Fraker@sen.ca.gov
Natalia Garcia | Natalia.Garcia@asm.ca.gov
California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Condemns Defense Secretary’s Targeting of Female LGBTQ+ US Navy Commander
SACRAMENTO, CA — The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus released the following statement in response to the removal of United States Navy Commander Janelle Marra from her leadership role after hate extremists target her for listing pronouns and referencing her job title in LinkedIn profile:
“We strongly condemn the removal of Commander Janelle Marra, an LGBTQ+ Navy doctor and decorated leader serving in San Diego, based on nothing more than her health care specialty and inclusion of pronouns on her LinkedIn social media profile. Let’s be clear: this decision has nothing to do with strengthening national security. Her removal – apparently triggered by nothing more than signaling she is a woman and noting her job title on LinkedIn – is a disgraceful, politically motivated act of retaliation and a dangerous escalation in the Trump Administration’s ongoing campaign to erase LGBTQ+ Americans from military service.
First, they banned transgender Americans from serving under President Trump’s modern-day Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Now, this administration has made clear it is targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer service members as well – sending a chilling message that any service member who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community may be grounds for punishment. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s public mockery of Commander Marra with the words ‘She/Her/Fired’ is not only beneath the dignity of his office, it is a cruel, cowardly act that undermines morale, trust, and military readiness.
The LGBTQ Caucus stands unequivocally with Commander Marra and her family during this profoundly difficult time. We thank her for her service, her leadership, and her authenticity. We call on the Department of Defense to reverse this harmful action, reinstate Commander Marra to her position, and reaffirm its commitments to protecting all service members from discrimination. Our military and our country are stronger when everyone can serve with dignity, not fear.”
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About the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus
California’s Legislative LGBTQ Caucus was formed in 2002 to create a forum for California Legislators to discuss issues that affect LGBTQ Californians and to further the goal of equality and justice for all Californians. California became the first state in the United States to officially form a caucus of openly-LGBTQ state legislators and continues to be a leader of progress for all Americans. In 2023, our membership hit a new milestone of 12 members, becoming one of the largest LGBTQ Caucus in the Nation, and continues to remain strong. Despite tremendous progress and an unprecedented swell of support for the LGBTQ community worldwide, there is still much work to do to protect and uplift the most vulnerable in our community. The LGBTQ Caucus strives to advocate for diversity and inclusion of all people, including differently abled bodies. Our Caucus is working diligently to support LGBTQ leaders that represent our community at the local, state, and federal levels.
For more information on the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, please visit https://lgbtqcaucus.legislature.ca.gov/
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