Pentagon reverses Trump’s transgender policies

Stephanie Miller, head of accession policy at the Pentagon, left, speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. It was announced during the briefing that the Pentagon will sweep away Trump-era policies that largely banned transgender people from serving in the military and will issue new rules that broaden their access to medical care and gender transition. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Reflecting the Democratic ideal of the making the U.S. military into a gender laboratory where human sexuality takes precedence over training, tactics and esprit d’corps, the Pentagon on Wednesday overturned Trump-era policies that banned transgender people from serving in the military.

Predictably, this meant issuing new rules that offer transgenders more access to taxpayer-funded medical care and assistance with “gender transition,” according to government-backing news agency The Associated Press.

It’s all just part of defending the United States on land and sea and in the air.

New department regulations allow transgender people who “meet military standards” to enlist and serve openly in their self-identified gender, and they will be able to get medically necessary transition-related care authorized by law, chief Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters during a briefing.

The changes come after a two-month Pentagon review aimed at developing guidelines for the new policy, which was announced by Joe Biden just days after his unveiling as president in January.

Biden’s executive order overturned Trump policies and immediately prohibited any service member from being forced out of the military on the basis of gender identity.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin gave the Pentagon two months to finalize the more detailed regulations that the military services will follow.

The rules also prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. Their release on March 31 coincides with the “International Transgender Day of Visibility,” and they will take effect in 30 days. Kirby said that will give the military services the time they need to update their policies and provide guidance to commanders.

“The United States military is the greatest fighting force on the planet because we are composed of an all-volunteer team willing to step up and defend the rights and freedoms of all Americans,” Austin said in a statement Wednesday. “We will remain the best and most capable team because we avail ourselves of the best possible talent that America has to offer, regardless of gender identity.”


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