The U.S. military will no longer allow transgender individuals to join its ranks and will halt all procedures related to gender transition for current service members, according to a memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth filed in court on Monday. The memo, dated February 7, outlines the new policy, which takes effect immediately.
This is coming after President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month geared at transgender troops. That particular executive order stated that allowing individuals to serve in a gender different from their biological sex is “not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member.”
Key Details of the New Military Policy
In the memo, Hegseth announced a:
1. Ban on New Transgender Recruits:
“Effective immediately, all new accessions for individuals with a history of gender dysphoria are paused.”
2. Pause on Gender Transition Procedures:
“All unscheduled, scheduled, or planned medical procedures associated with affirming or facilitating a gender transition for Service members are paused.”
The Defense Secretary, Hegseth emphasized that current service members with gender dysphoria would be “treated with dignity and respect,” with further details to be provided by the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness.
The Reaction of Transgender Service Members
The U.S. military has approximately 1.3 million active-duty personnel. While transgender rights advocates estimate there are as many as 15,000 transgender service members, official figures place the number in the low thousands.
The new policy has been wildly critiqued from civil rights organizations and sparked legal challenges. Last week, a U.S. judge requested that lawyers for Trump’s administration ensure that six military members who sued to block the executive order are not removed from service until further court proceedings are held.
Legal Challenges and Civil Rights Concerns
Civil rights groups filed for a temporary restraining order after a transgender service member alleged she was told to either be classified as a man or face separation from the military.
Miriam Perelson, a 28-year-old transgender woman based at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, reported being forced to leave the female sleeping area, given a cot in an empty classroom, and denied access to female restrooms.
Public Reaction to the Transgender Military Service Scandal
A Gallup poll published on Monday revealed that 58% of Americans were in support of openly allowing transgender individuals to serve in the military. However, this percentage is a decline from 71% in 2019, indicating shifting public sentiment on the issue.
