SPARTA is a group of transgender people who currently serve or have served in the military. SPARTA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization not affiliated with the Department of Defense. Membership is open to transgender (to include non-binary and gender-nonconforming) individuals currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. We also offer smaller groups for families of transgender service members, veterans, and allies.
Mission:
SPARTA will advocate for inclusive military policy, provide peer support, and develop transgender military service educational resources on behalf of currently serving transgender military members.
Vision:
Be the premier transgender military service advocacy, support, and education organization in the United States.
Our Board:
SPARTA’s Board of Directors(BoD) is comprised of active duty, reserve, and veteran transgender service members and is responsible for the day to day operations and strategic planning of the organization. Directors are also responsible for supervising the various committees necessary to the successful completion of the SPARTA mission; these include: Advocacy, Development, Communication, Legal, and Membership.
Meet our Board Members below.
President and Board Chair: Emily Shilling 🚀👩🔬
Vice President : Samson Gibbs
Communications: LeAnne Withrow
Membership: Evelyn Lee
Advocacy: Alleria Stanley
Secretary: Katie Schmid
Treasurer: Sabrina Atchley
Community Relations: Melody Stachour
SPARTA Volunteer Staff:
Attorney-Advisor - Deirdre Anne Hendrick
Manager, IT Services, and Security - Kara Zajac
Accession Mentorship - Logan Ireland
Accession Mentorship - Nick Wright
SPARTA Chapter Leaders:
Air & Space Force Chapter Leader - Evelyn Lee ✈️🚀
Navy/Coast Guard/NOAA Chapter Leader - Melody Stachour ⚓
Marine Corps Chapter Leader - Sam Gibbs
Army Chapter Leader - Freyja Eccles
Emeritus/Past Presidents:
Sue Fulton
Emma Shinn ⚖️👩🏼⚖️
Blake Dremann
Commitment to Serve - Stories of SPARTA
The Commitment to Serve series highlights some of the amazing stories of our members.
SPARTA Values:
SPARTA is a nonpartisan organization committed to ensuring the rights and opportunities of all transgender service members and aspiring transgender recruits are protected.
SPARTA is committed to equal opportunity for all service members regardless of race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity and expression.
SPARTA will educate key stakeholders and the public about issues that impact transgender military service.
SPARTA collaborates with other LGBT advocacy organizations to promote an inclusive military environment that values the contributions of all Americans with the desire to serve.*
SPARTA Legal Documents