US military lifts ban on trans people serving in armed forces
The new move, which follows in the steps of a 2011 decision to lift the ban on openly gay and lesbian members of the military serving, has formally removed the chance that gay and lesbian members of the military can be discharged based on thier sexuality.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter said yesterday that within 90 days, the Pentagon would create a guidebook for commanders on rules regarding transgender service members.
‘We’re eliminating policies that can result in transgender members being treated differently from their peers based solely upon their gender identity rather than upon their ability to serve,’ he said.
Ash Carter (Picture: Getty Images)
Secretary Carter said that, within a year, transgender people will be able to join the military on the condition that they have been "stable" in their preferred gender for a minimum of 18 months.
Carter said that according to a study carried out by the Rand Corporation, there are about 2,500 transgender active-duty service members and 1,500 reserve transgender service members.
The same study, which was also released on Thursday, said the repeal of the ban would cost between $2.4million and $8.4million per year in medical care, but could reduce costs associated with mental health.
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