Secretary of the Air Force Supports Lifting the Military Transgender Ban
Today, the Secretary of the Air Force, Deborah Lee James, came out in support of lifting the military’s ban on transgender service. In an interview with USA Today, when asked about the current ban, she said, “From my point of view, anyone who is capable of accomplishing the job should be able to serve.” She also said the current ban “is likely to come under review in the next year or so.”
The repeal of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy allowed lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals to serve in the military openly and honestly. However, while the repeal of DADT was an incredibly important step forward, many issues remain for these service members, veterans, their families, and those still prohibited from serving.
Two of the remaining challenges that can be addressed specifically by the Department of Defense include:
Transgender Service: Despite the repeal of DADT, transgender individuals are still prohibited from openly serving in the military due to outdated DoD regulations that are out of step with current medical practice. In May of this year, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said he was “open” to reviewing the military’s ban on transgender people. An estimated 15,500 transgender individuals are currently serving in silence.
Non-Discrimination Protections: LGB service members who face discrimination or harassment have few options for addressing their problem. Most harassment and discrimination complaints can be pursued outside of the chain of command through the Military Equal Opportunity Program. However, following repeal of DADT, sexual orientation was not included in the DoD’s formal non-discrimination policy which triggers access to the MEO complaint and support processes, leaving LGB service members more vulnerable.
