Pentagon Issues Controversial Transgender Military Policy

The Pentagon has issued a new policy, in line with a January executive order by President Trump, effectively banning transgender individuals from serving in the military unless they meet strict criteria for exemptions. Transgender service members must adhere to their birth sex and demonstrate 36 consecutive months of stability without transitioning to qualify for a waiver. The memo outlines that the military will not pay for gender transition surgeries and requires service members to use facilities corresponding to their birth sex. Critics, including Rep. Gil Cisneros, argue that the policy forces transgender individuals to suppress their gender identity, echoing discredited conversion therapy practices. This move has been criticized as a 'complete purge' of transgender troops and faces legal challenges for being unconstitutional. The policy has sparked significant controversy, with ongoing lawsuits challenging its legality and potential bias in the judicial handling of the cases.