Key points:

• The Pentagon has issued a memo directing the separation of transgender service members unless exempted.
• Service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria must be identified by March 26, 2025.
• The new policy has faced legal challenges, citing concerns over discrimination and military readiness.

The Pentagon has declared that service members and recruits diagnosed with gender dysphoria must begin the process of separation under a newly disclosed policy directive. This directive arises from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on January 27, which characterizes those with gender dysphoria as "incompatible with military service." According to a memo released by the Pentagon on February 26, military services have 30 days to identify affected personnel and initiate separation procedures. The policy reflects Trump's earlier statements asserting that transgender service members compromise military readiness, cohesion, and integrity, emphasizing that "The Department only recognizes two sexes: male and female."

As per the outlined policy, officials must devise a method to identify service members currently diagnosed with or receiving treatment for gender dysphoria within a month. Following identification, actions to remove them from service are to commence by April 25, 2025. Some exemptions to the separation may be granted if individuals can demonstrate a direct benefit to military operations or prove they have been stable in their sex identity for 36 consecutive months without notable distress. “The medical, surgical, and mental health constraints on individuals who exhibit symptoms of gender dysphoria are incompatible with military service,” NPR reports, citing the memo’s rationale.

This new approach has stirred up significant backlash, particularly from advocacy groups. Sarah Warbelow from the Human Rights Campaign expressed concern that the directive pressures troops to self-identify, stating, “You are going to be required to out yourself.” Legal actions against the policy are already in motion, with advocacy groups warning that it demonstrates “hostility” toward transgender individuals, diminishing their rights and visibility within the military.

The estimate of transgender service members in the military varies, but according to research by the Palm Center, anomalies in data reporting and privacy laws may leave the actual number undisclosed. An earlier study suggested there could be around 14,700 transgender troops. Current officials estimate those quickly identifiable via medical records are in the range of hundreds, a stark contrast against the 2.1 million total active personnel, as noted by various LA Times reports.

This order, part of an evolving narrative regarding transgender rights in the armed forces, may face further legal challenges as current attorneys general across several states are pooling resources to halt its implementation, asserting that this policy cruelly targets those who have committed to protecting the realm. New York Attorney General Letitia James noted, “Your service is invaluable, and we will not allow this bigoted attack to diminish your service to our country.”

The changing landscape around policies concerning transgender service members indicates a contentious ongoing debate over inclusivity and military efficacy, as the Biden administration's reversal of previous bans has opened the floor for continuous legal tussles regarding these fundamental issues.

For further details, visit Reuters, ABC News, Newsweek, and SFGate.