Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Life Of A Trans Servicemembers Got A Little Better

I don’t know if you saw that the military is easing up on their trans policy,
Army eases ban on transgender soldiersBy Tom Vanden Brook
USA TODAY
March 7, 2015

WASHINGTON — The Army issued a directive Friday that protects transgender soldiers from being dismissed by mid-level officers by requiring the decision for discharge to be made by the service's top civilian for personnel matters.

The Army's new policy is the latest indication that the military's ban on transgender troops may be eased or even lifted.
[…]
"The Army policy concerning separation of transgender soldiers has not changed," said Lt. Col. Alayne Conway, a spokeswoman. "By elevating disposition authority, the action will ensure consistency in the application of existing Department of Defense and Army policy."

In essence, the announcement places a moratorium on dismissals by requiring officers to explain their decision to discharge a transgender soldier to a high-ranking civilian leader, a move many would view as potentially damaging to their careers. The Pentagon took the same tack when it backed away from its Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy that banned gay and lesbian troops. It required a review of decisions to discharge gay troops by the department's top lawyer and service secretaries, and no further dismissals occurred.
Maybe shortly we will see the whole ban lifted and trans people will be able to join the military. 

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