SPARTA

Hello! My name is Courtney. For my birthday this year (July 22nd), I will be running 27K to raise funds for SPARTA Pride. As a service member and leader, I love that I get to work with people from all over the world and from all walks of life. I believe diversity is a strength, not a detriment to our military. The proposition that transgender troops are not fit to serve is blatantly baseless and untrue. That is why I want to raise awareness of organizations like SPARTA Pride that are working tirelessly to help transgender service members in wake of the recent passage of policies that challenge the right for transgender people to openly serve in our military.

SPARTA Pride stands as a beacon for transgender individuals who currently serve or have served in the U.S. military. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, independent of the Department of Defense (DoD), SPARTA Pride's mission is to support, educate, and advocate. SPARTA Pride collaborates with other LGBT advocacy organizations to promote an inclusive military environment that values the contributions of all Americans with the desire to serve.

Every dollar donated makes a difference and all funds raised will be donated to SPARTA Pride upon completion of my 27K run on my birthday. Please consider supporting me in raising money for an incredibly relevant and crucial organization!

All of the beliefs above are my own and do not reflect the beliefs of the U.S. Army or the Department of Defense.

A few years ago, I was part of a team that I invited to participate in the Bataan Memorial Death March in White Sands, New Mexico. It’s one of the most difficult marathons you can do in the continental United States since it takes place in a literal desert.

Two Sailors, an Airman, a Marine, and a prospective Coast Guard recruit went on this trek. All but one were trans servicemembers. We finished the ruck with heavy packs and even at the 26-mile marker, we held a little reenlistment ceremony for me. My reenlisting officer was trans.

SPARTA was founded over a decade ago following the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. It wasn’t fair that trans servicemembers were left out in the cold for open service in the military. So, as a way to help build advocacy, I lent my skills as a graphic designer and produced the now ubiquitous logo for the non-profit.

Trans service-members have been banned before, then accepted into open service. But now, they are banned again.

Because trans service-members are now being summarily kicked out, I decided to do a tiny little fundraiser to help an organization that is fighting like hell to help trans service-members stay in.

This year, I’m doing the Bataan Memorial Death March again, fully suited as a Mandalorian. (I’ve done it as a fully kitted Stormtrooper twice before.)

However, I only signed up for the half marathon.

If this fundraiser manages to raise over $1,000, I will do the full marathon on Saturday, 22 March 2025. With pictures along the way.

I suffer a full day as a Stormtrooper, you get entertained, SPARTA gets the funding they need to help trans servicemembers and hopefully stay in and continue serving. It’s a win-win.

Who We Are

SPARTA Pride is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting transgender, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming service members. We provide critical peer support, mentorship, and advocacy, to help trans troops navigate challenges and stay mission-ready. https://spartapride.org/

The Risk is Real

The incoming administration has made no secret of their plans to ban transgender people from serving in the military. Not only would a trans ban strip these patriots of their livelihoods; removing transgender people from critical roles will harm national security.

Why $15,000?

We are launching this urgent campaign to raise $15,000—$1 in honor of each of the estimated 15,000 trans troops in uniform today.

These funds will be used to:

Provide Emergency Support: Helping trans service members with grants, advocacy, and emergency needs in case a ban is enacted.

Expand Awareness: Educating the public, policymakers, and military leaders on the value and contributions of trans troops.

Strengthen Community Resilience: Enhancing peer support networks to help service members navigate these uncertain times.

Every dollar donated will go to supporting transgender troops and their families. Thanks you for your support for our nation’s warriors.️‍ ️‍