President Biden and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs are supporting more inclusive policies for transgender service members, but advocates are working for stronger legal protections for trans service members.
Reversing Trump ban on transgender troops, Pentagon releases new policies
Susan Walsh/AP
Stephanie Miller, head of accession policy at the Pentagon, left, speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
By: The Associated Press & Scripps National
Posted at 10:30 AM, Apr 01, 2021
and last updated 2021-04-01 13:34:23-04
WASHINGTON (AP) â The Pentagon has swept away Trump-era policies that largely banned transgender people from serving in the military and issued new rules that broaden their access to medical care and gender transition.
The new Department of Defense regulations allow transgender people who meet military standards to enlist and serve openly in their self-identified gender, and they will be able to get medically necessary transition-related care authorized by law.
VA secretary promises diverse leadership team, but can’t say when they’ll be in place February 23 Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough speaks during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on Jan. 27, 2021. (Sarah Silbiger/Pool via AP)
Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough vowed that his leadership team at the federal bureaucracy will reflect the diversity of America’s veterans but offered no timeline for when other key senior posts at the department will be filled. “This will be a really important piece of demonstrating seriousness about diversity and inclusion,” McDonough said in a press conference with reporters on Tuesday. “Our political appointees to date reflect that. That’s intentional.”
Transgender troops no longer barred from service as Biden repeals policy in move to boost inclusiveness
President’s latest repeal of a Trump order draws praise from Democrats and LGTBQ activists, but criticism from some conservatives.
Transgender people are no longer barred from serving in the military after President Joe Biden repealed former President Donald Trump’s partial ban on transgender troops Monday.
“America is stronger, at home and around the world, when it is inclusive. The military is no exception,” Biden’s order says. “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.”
Deseret News
Joe Biden wants Americans to unite, but these social media posts show that’s a controversial idea
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Charles Sykes, Associated Press
In his inauguration speech, President Joe Biden said that to overcome its problems, America needs “the most elusive of things in a democracy” unity.
“Today, on this January day, my whole soul is in this: bringing America together. Uniting our people. And uniting our nation,” Biden said.
But less than a week into the new administration, many conservatives are already done with the unity talk.
Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly has been the most outspoken, telling Glenn Beck on his television show that the idea of unity is “fool’s gold.”