Sparta - A Transgender Military Advocacy Organization

06/23/2026

We're proud to have been featured in three powerful media pieces over the last few days! Click through to see what each was about.

Here are the links to read them:
1) https://www.advocate.com/news/people/logan-ireland-retirement-clayton-mccallister
2) https://wtop.com/dc/2026/06/youre-not-alone-pride-marchers-say-visibility-is-critical-in-todays-politics/
3) https://thebarbedwire.com/2026/06/23/healthcare-for-trans-veterans-was-already-bad/

06/23/2026

On Saturday, we were thrilled to march near the front of the Capital Pride Parade with a diverse coalition of military and veteran organizations and advocates. Our group included active duty service members, veterans, military family members, and allies. We represented multiple generations and service branches, and a range of LGBTQ+ identities.

One central thing unified us: a commitment to service and country. Our shirts this year read “Pride in Service,” both a call to keep LGBTQ+ pride in the armed services, but also a message that we are all proud of our service to this nation.

Thank you to everyone who showed up and braved the heat to march with us and cheer us along from the sidelines. We’re grateful to have had so many SPARTA Pride members with us, along with friends from AVER - American Veterans for Equal Rights, Inc.,Out In National Security, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, & more!

Some photos by Jax Kobey

06/22/2026

Two of our inspiring board members — a mentor and his mentee — are profiled in this incredibly moving piece. Thank you The Advocate for this beautiful coverage of their story!

Ending a career he did not want to leave, Master Sgt. Logan Ireland is still fighting to pass on the "opportunity to succeed" in military service to his mentee Clayton McCallister.

06/22/2026

We’re grateful to be included in this piece, along with WTOP News’ video in their story! It was a joy to march in Capital Pride to both celebrate and fight for our LGBTQ+ military and veteran community.

While there was not a drop of rain on Saturday, D.C. was covered in rainbows thanks to the tens of thousands of people who lined 14th Street to witness the Capital Pride Parade.

06/21/2026

We were proud to march in Capital Pride today with an incredible contingent of LGBTQ+ service members, veterans, military families & allies. Before we stepped off, we asked some of the veterans and service members what Pride means to them. We hope you are moved by their powerful answers!

06/19/2026

SPARTA Pride recognizes Juneteenth today and what it signifies for Black history and the ongoing fight for equality.

06/18/2026

SPARTA Pride is taking a stand against a damaging new memo issued by the VA several days ago, which seeks to end support for LGBTQ+ veterans and further erase marginalized communities. But this won’t make our community disappear; it will simply contribute to fewer veterans getting the care they earned and lead to poorer physical and mental health outcomes.

We believe all veterans who served honorably deserve dignity and respect. 🫡 And we need other organizations to stand up for us rather than contribute to this harmful pattern.

Read our full press release: https://spartapride.org/2026/06/press-release-sparta-condemns-va-memo/

06/14/2026

Today, SPARTA Pride commemorates the 251st birthday of the Army: the oldest and largest service branch in the US military, tracing its roots to the Continental Army established in 1775. We are proud of the large number of soldiers in our community who have served and continue to serve in the Army.

06/10/2026

Yesterday our Comms Director, Emily, sat down with Pride365 Radio to record an interview that airs today. Tune in from 10am-2pm ET, when the segment will be spread out throughout other programming. You can find it at pride365radio.org or any audio streaming service!

She spoke with Capital Pride’s Tiffany Royster about what SPARTA Pride does, why it’s important to celebrate Pride in the military & veteran community (especially in DC), and why everyone should come to our event in DC on the 19th. See our recent posts for details on our Military & Veteran Pride event for Capital Pride on June 19 and our parade marching group on June 20!