In a significant policy shift, the U.S. Department of Defense has announced that openly transgender individuals will no longer be permitted to serve in the military and that currently enlisted transgender troops will be discharged. This decision, outlined in a newly released Pentagon memo, has drawn sharp criticism from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and legal experts.
The policy, which reverses previous non-discrimination protections, follows an executive order signed last month by President Donald Trump. The order cited concerns over “medical, surgical, and mental health constraints” related to gender dysphoria, deeming them incompatible with the rigorous demands of military service.
The latest memo further tightens restrictions by mandating the removal of service members who have gender dysphoria or a history of it, with limited exceptions for those deemed essential to “warfighting capabilities.” This directive builds upon an earlier policy from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which barred individuals with a history of gender dysphoria from enlisting while stating that those already in service would be “treated with dignity and respect.”
LGBTQ+ rights organizations have strongly condemned the decision, emphasizing that transgender individuals have long served with honor and distinction. SPARTA Pride, an advocacy group for transgender service members, reaffirmed their commitment to standing by affected troops.
“No policy will ever erase transgender Americans’ contributions to history, warfighting, or military excellence,” SPARTA Pride said in a statement. “Transgender service members have a unique fighting spirit and will continue to defend the Constitution and American values, regardless of the obstacles they face.”
The policy change is already facing legal challenges, with lawsuits filed by LGBTQ+ rights groups arguing that the ban is discriminatory and undermines military readiness. The Pentagon has not yet responded to requests for comment.