Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Transgender Service in the Military
Gen. Lloyd Austin, the new head ot eh the Pentagon, rleased a statementin support of tPre. Biden' Eecutive Order allowing transgender people to re-enter the military, In 2018 former Pres. Donald Trump, a proponent of religious values, banned transgender people from serving openly in any branch o the U.s. Armed Forces. fully support the President’s direction that all transgender individuals who wish to serve in the United States military and can meet the appropriate standards shall be able to do so openly and free from legal discrimination. The official statementon the change form Gen. Lloyd follows: "The Department will immediately take appropriate policy action to ensure individuals who identify as transgender are eligible to enter and serve in their self-identified gender. These changes will ensure no one will be separated or discharged, or denied reenlistment, solely on the basis of gender identity. Prospective recruits may serve in their self-identifie...