The U.S. Army has announced a ban on transgender individuals enlisting in the military and will cease providing gender-affirming care for current service members. The announcement was on social media, stating that transgender individuals will no longer be allowed to join the military, and procedures associated with gender transition will no longer be performed or facilitated.
Following public reaction, the Army issued a follow-up statement recognizing troops with gender dysphoria, acknowledging their service, and emphasizing that they will be treated with dignity and respect. Continue reading to understand more about it!
Executive Order Drives Policy Change
The decision follows a January 27 executive order from President Trump, which directed the Pentagon to establish a new policy for transgender service members within 30 days. The order argued that expressing a gender identity inconsistent with assigned sex at birth conflicted with the military's values of honor, truthfulness, and discipline.
Key directives from the order include:
- The suspension of transgender enlistment.
- The halt of all gender-affirming medical procedures for active service members.
- A broader federal recognition policy that defines sex strictly as male or female.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memo on February 7 confirming the suspension of recruits diagnosed with gender dysphoria and pausing all gender-affirming care. This directive is now legally challenged in the D.C. District Court, which could result in a renewed ban on transgender military service.
Backlash From Advocacy Groups
The policy shift has been met with opposition from LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, including SPARTA Pride, a nonprofit supporting transgender service members and veterans.
The group emphasized that transgender service members have been serving openly for almost a decade, filling critical roles in every branch and specialty, including infantry, aviation, nuclear engineering, law enforcement, and military intelligence.
Many of these positions require years of specialized training and expertise. The organization asserted that the readiness and physical capabilities of transgender service members are no different from those of other troops.
Federal Government Expands Restrictive Policies
The Army's decision aligns with a broader shift in federal policy. A separate executive order from President Trump declared that the U.S. government would recognize only two sexes—male and female.
In the wake of this order, the National Park Service removed references to transgender and queer history from its website for the Stonewall National Monument in New York, which commemorates the origins of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.