Biden issues executive order allowing transgender people to join US military

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) –
President Joe Biden has issued an executive order that reverses the Trump administration’s ban on transgender people joining the US military, Voice of America reports. Transgender citizens had been allowed to serve in the military and receive transitioning treatment under former President Barack Obama, but new transgender recruits were subsequently banned under former President Donald Trump.

Announcing the policy, President Biden said in a tweet Monday: “Today, I repealed the discriminatory ban on transgender people serving in the military. It’s simple: America is safer when everyone qualified to serve can do so openly and with pride.”

Newly confirmed Defense Secretary and retired army General Lloyd Austin said in a statement that he is supportive of the order. “I fully support the President’s direction that all transgender individuals who wish to serve in the United States military and can meet the appropriate standards shall be able to do so openly and free from discrimination,” Austin said.

“The Department will immediately take appropriate policy action to ensure individuals who identify as transgender are eligible to enter and serve in their self-identified gender,” Austin added.

There is currently no official data on the number of transgender people serving in the US military, VOA said.

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