An executive order has been issued directing the Department of Defense to revise the Pentagon’s policy on transgender service members. The order states that individuals expressing a false “gender identity” different from their sex do not meet the necessary standards for military service. It also contends that receiving gender-affirming medical care is incompatible with active duty. The order emphasizes that aligning with an individual’s sex is crucial for military service and echoes the sentiment that efforts to divide troops based on identity weaken the force.
Human Rights Campaign and Lambda Legal have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the transgender ban, arguing that it violates constitutional rights. Another lawsuit has been filed by GLAD Law and the National Center for Lesbian Rights on behalf of additional active-duty service members.
The impact of the memo on transgender service members is uncertain, but legal action is underway to challenge the ban. Lead counsel Shannon Minter stated that court intervention is urgently needed as the administration is already implementing the ban. Transgender applicants are reportedly being turned away, and service members are being denied necessary medical care.
A hearing in this case is scheduled for February 18 in the D.C. district court, with Judge Ana Reyes presiding.
The report was contributed to by Briana Stewart from ABC News. Hegseth has issued a directive for an immediate halt to gender-affirming medical treatments for transgender individuals serving in the military. This news was first published on abcnews.go.com.
