Trans Rights in the Ranks: Trans Lieutenant Nicolas Talbott’s Supreme Court battle

Second Lieutenant Nicolas Talbott, a 31-year-old Army Reservist from Lisbon, Ohio, has emerged as the lead plaintiff in a landmark lawsuit challenging former President Donald Trump’s executive order banning trans individuals from serving in the U.S. military. Talbott, described by peers and superiors as selfless and patriotic, is also openly trans - a fact that has placed him at the centre of a legal and cultural battle over military inclusion and civil rights.

Talbott’s journey to military service was marked by resilience and determination. Raised in a conservative, pro-Trump town, he grew up on a farm, baling hay and milking cows, and knew from a young age that he was transgender. His dream of serving in the military was first thwarted in 2012 due to a longstanding ban on transgender service members. When the ban was lifted in 2016, Talbott began the enlistment process, only to see his hopes dashed again when Trump reinstated the ban in 2017 via executive order.

Nobody I've served with has had any issue with my being transgender in any way, shape or form

Despite these setbacks, Talbott persisted. He joined Kent State University’s ROTC programme and later re-enlisted after the ban was lifted in 2021. He was named Honor Graduate at basic combat training and currently serves as a Platoon Leader in a Military Policing Unit. His leadership and dedication have earned him widespread respect among his peers.

The lawsuit, Talbott v. Trump, now Talbott v. USA, argues that the ban violates the Equal Protection component of the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause. Legal experts say the case is bolstered by the Supreme Court’s 2020 decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which affirmed that discrimination based on transgender status is a form of sex discrimination.

In March 2025, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against Trump’s order, a decision Talbott called “a breath of fresh air” for trans service members facing involuntary separation. He emphasised that his gender identity has never affected unit cohesion or his ability to serve, stating, “Nobody I've served with has had any issue with my being transgender in any way, shape or form”.

Talbott’s case is now headed to the Supreme Court, where its outcome could determine the future of over 4,000 trans service members.