MTV invited transgender members of the U.S. military to Sunday’s (Aug. 27) Video Music Awards: “Any patriot who is putting their own life at risk to fight for our freedom and stand for equality is a hero at MTV, and to young people everywhere,” MTV president Chris McCarthy said in a statement.
Billboard can confirm that six of these military members will be walking the VMA red carpet, and we spoke to the troops ahead of their appearance at the show.
“It is such an honor and I’m so happy to be able to represent the community of trans service members,” said Akira Wyatt, a sailor in the Navy.
“Our nation stays safe because we have the best and brightest defending it,” added Jennifer Peace, a captain in the Army. “So I hope that people who are watching [the VMAS] see it and think, “Hey, if we’re excluding these individuals who are qualified and capable to serve, and we’re kicking them out — and we’re not filing new people into the service solely based on them being transgender, and not based on their potential, are we as safe as we should be?”
“Historically, the VMAs have been a huge platform for social issues that are currently happening, so being able to have that platform and share our stories is important to us,” said Army veteran Laila Ireland. “We don’t just represent our own stories, we represent all the stories that can’t be told, voices that can’t be heard, and I think it’s very important to share that.”
The soldiers are also excited to brush elbows with their favorite stars: “I’m very passionate about Kesha. I love her as a person and an artist,” said Sterling Crutcher, an airman in the Air Force.
Ireland said she was most excited for Demi Lovato‘s performance, while Peace is hoping to meet Billie Joe Armstrong: “I love Green Day. I just saw them in concert out here in Seattle.”
Meet the six military members walking the red carpet:
Sterling James Crutcher, Air Force Airman First Class
Airman Crutcher currently serves as Munitions technician at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. His first deployment was at Qatar Air Base in 2017 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. In Qatar, he built munitions that aided in the war against ISIS.
Logan B. Ireland, Air Force Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant Ireland currently serves as Base Defense Operations Center Controller (heads the main security command center) at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. He was stationed at Whiteman AFB, Mo., as part of the…
The post Meet 6 Trans Military Members Walking MTV VMAs Red Carpet: Exclusive appeared first on FeedBox.