Biden Ends Ban On Transgender Military

President Joe Biden, on the first day of his first full week as commander in chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, ended his predecessor’s unjust ban on service by out transgender troops Monday.

With a directive to newly-sworn Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Biden told the former general to implement a policy that prohibits discrimination against all military personnel based on their gender identity. The directive requires the Pentagon to report its progress in unraveling the ban to the White House within 60 days.

"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," said Biden, according to a statement from the White House. "Simply put, it’s the right thing to do and is in our national interest."

This directive reversing the Trump administration's prejudiced policy is one of Biden's first moves toward unraveling Trump's biased blemish on the military and throughout the federal government.

“Today is the culmination of the work of many people and organizations to create a fully inclusive military,” said Blake M. Dremann, an active duty Navy Lieutenant Commander, an openly-serving trans man and trans advocate who sent this statement via a direct message on Facebook. “Transgender service members have shown strength and resilience expected of our all voluntary force and will celebrate today and head back to work the same way they have always don: With honor, dignity and a head held high.”

“This is a significant and hopeful moment for our country,” said Staff Sergeant Cathrine “Katie” Schmid, a 15-year active servicemember of the U.S. Army. She spoke to USA Today. “Over the last 3 years, we've fought to prove that transgender people are not a burden, a hindrance, or a distraction — we are an equal and contributing part of this society just as much as any other group, and this development vindicates that basic principle. This isn't simply about our place in the military, or my place in my unit. It’s about our right to be treated as co-equal members of society.”

"Transgender soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines have continued to serve with dignity and honor, regardless of policy,” said former Navy pilot Brynn Tannehill, now an author as well as an advocate and private sector researcher. She added in a Facebook DM that she was thrilled to receive news of the directive.”It is immensely gratifying to see the Biden administration affirm that transgender people are fully capable of serving in the military, and set policy to match that truth."

Initially, there was confusion about the ban on enlistment remaining in place, for now.

“So the way we take it,’’ Lt. Cmdr. Dremann clarified: ‘’The rescinded guidance applies to enlistment restrictions. It should take us back to the 2018 guidance. Enlistment remains difficult but is not banned post transition as it was under the 2019 guidance.”

Former Navy pilot, advocate and author Brynn Tannehill added: ‘’It also is directing the Pentagon to report back on progress in 60 days, which would include any identified remaining policy barriers to service.’’

‘’These changes will ensure no one will be separated or discharged, or denied reenlistment, solely on the basis of gender identity,’’ said Defense Sec. Austin in his first official statement. ‘’Prospective recruits may serve in their self-identified gender when they have met the appropriate standards for accession into the military services.’’

One of the earliest efforts to support transgender service actually started even before Trump announced his ban, via a tweet that surprised his own advisers and generals, in 2017.

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