The US military is ending its ban on transgender individuals serving openly in the armed forces. US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter made the announcement today at the Pentagon, removing a significant barrier to military service by qualified individuals.
“The Defense Department and the military need to avail ourselves of all talent possible in order to remain what we are now – the finest fighting force the world has ever known,” Carter said in a press conference.
The end of the ban comes into effect immediately. No US soldier can be discharged for being transgender. “Although relatively few in number, we’re talking about talented and trained Americans who are serving their country with honor and distinction,” Carter added. “We want to take the opportunity to retain people whose talent we’ve invested in and who’ve proven themselves.”
The defense secretary studied the issue for about a year, he said The process was “educational” for the Defense Department and its personnel.
The decision comes after years of progress toward a more open and inclusive military. The “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that left homosexual members vulnerable to discharge was ended in 2011. In 2015, the armed forces added language explicitly protecting soldiers against discrimination based on their sexual orientation. At the same time, medical and leave benefits were extended to all legally married same sex spouses.
Carter highlighted in his press conference the shift toward wider acceptance of transgender individuals across American society, specifically in the corporate world.
Many social conservatives have been very critical of this acceptance and some state legislatures have passed laws rights advocates call discriminatory in the last few years.
The US military opening its doors to transgender individuals, with its strong cultural role and its 1.3 million active members (and many many more in the reserves or civilian related industries) may be a turning point in the fight for equality.
The announcement sent shockwaves through social media.
About 2,500 transgender people are currently serving on active duty and will now be able to do so openly!! https://t.co/jkQjnddd6Q
— igorvolsky (@igorvolsky) June 30, 2016
Today’s decision to lift the #transgender ban on military service is another big step towards full #equality. https://t.co/KCBX0m6d4Z
— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) June 30, 2016
No one serving this nation should be forced to hide their true self. End of #transgender military ban is huge step forward.
— Rep. Joe Kennedy III (@RepJoeKennedy) June 25, 2016
We applaud the DoD for ending this unjust ban on #transgender military service: https://t.co/U462fIMuSKpic.twitter.com/5sVk1sSwiY
— Lambda Legal (@LambdaLegal) June 30, 2016