 McCain also co-sponsored a "bill in support of transgender people serving in the military.... "

In 1983, McCain opposed creating a federal holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr..

McCain continued his opposition to a holiday for King by supporting Governor of Arizona Evan Mecham's rescinding of the Arizona state holiday for King in 1987.By 1989, McCain reiterated his opposition to the federal holiday, but reversed position on the state holiday, due to the economic boycotts and image problems Arizona was receiving as a result of it not having one.