Biden lifting Trump's transgender military ban
By Rebecca Kheel - 01/25/21 11:23 AM EST
President Biden on Monday repealed former President Trump’s ban on most transgender people serving in the military, the latest action Biden is taking to quickly unravel his predecessor’s policies.
Biden signed an executive order that “sets the policy that all Americans who are qualified to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States should be able to serve,†according to a fact sheet released ahead of newly minted Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's meeting with the president at the White House.
“President Biden believes that gender identity should not be a bar to military service, and that America’s strength is found in its diversity,†the fact sheet said. “Allowing all qualified Americans to serve their country in uniform is better for the military and better for the country because an inclusive force is a more effective force.â€
The order revokes Trump’s 2017 and 2018 orders banning transgender military service and directs the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security, under which the Coast Guard falls, to ensure all policies are consistent with Biden’s order, according to the fact sheet. It also immediately bans involuntary separations, discharges and denials of reenlistment based on gender identity.
“Simply put, transgender servicemembers will no longer be subject to the possibility of discharge or separation on the basis of gender identity; transgender servicemembers can serve in their gender when transition is complete and the gender marker in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) is changed and transgender servicemembers should know that they are accepted throughout the U.S. military,†the fact sheet said.
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https://thehill.com/policy/defense/535678-biden-lifting-trumps-transgender-military-ban
