PENTAGON LIFTS RESTRICTIONS FOR TRANSGENDER PERSONS TO JOIN US MILITARY

Thu 01 April 2021:

Defense Department spokesman John Kirby announced on Wednesday new rules allowing transgender persons to openly join the US military as restrictions imposed under the previous Trump administration are being lifted.

“The revised policies… restore the Department’s original 2016 policies regarding transgender service. Specifically, they prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or on individual’s identification as transgender. They provide a means by which to access into the military in one’s self-identified gender provided all appropriate standards are met,” Kirby told reporters during a briefing.

Kirby said the new policy will come into effect in 30 days.

Among the provisions:

The military will now provide service members a process by which they may transition gender while serving.
A service member may not be involuntarily discharged or denied reenlistment solely on the basis of gender identity.
Procedures will be developed for changing a service member’s gender marker.
The Defense Health Agency will develop clinical practice guidelines to support the medical treatment of service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

Kirby noted that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin strongly believes the all-volunteer force thrives when it is composed of diverse Americans who can meet the high standards for military service, and an inclusive force that strengthens our national security posture.

The Defense Department has said it estimates some 2,200 service members have been medically diagnosed with gender dysphoria or any other related conditions.