Pentagon Halt on Gender-Affirming Health Care for Transgender Troops
TL/DR –
The Pentagon is stopping gender-affirming health care for transgender military personnel in line with President Donald Trump’s plan to remove them from the U.S. military, according to a memo viewed by Reuters. The Defense Department has issued instructions to prevent any new hormone treatments and surgical procedures for transgender troops. The U.S. Supreme Court on May 6 permitted Trump’s administration to implement the ban, allowing the armed forces to discharge the thousands of current transgender troops and reject new recruits.
US Military Halts Transgender Health Care Amid Plan to Expel Troops
The Pentagon has issued a halt on gender-affirming health care provision for transgender troops, stepping towards President Trump‘s directive to remove them from the U.S. military, Reuters reports.
The Defense Department’s instructions prohibit new hormone treatments and surgical procedures for transgender troops. Stephen Ferrara, the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, directed immediate implementation of this guidance.
Shannon Minter, a representative of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, labeled the abrupt cessation of healthcare as “needlessly disrespectful and cruel,” condemning the military’s handling of its service members.
An unidentified transgender service member described the decision as “the latest slap in the face” and a clear indication that transgender troops are not entitled to equal medical care.
On May 6, the U.S. Supreme Court permitted Trump’s administration to enforce his ban on transgender military service, allowing the armed forces to discharge current transgender troops and reject new recruits amid ongoing legal challenges.
Reuters recently reported that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued instructions to begin expelling transgender troops who do not voluntarily leave by June 6. The U.S. is said to have over 4,240 active-duty and National Guard transgender troops, though transgender rights advocates argue for higher numbers.
After assuming office, Trump reversed a policy allowing transgender troops to serve openly, a policy previously implemented under Joe Biden’s administration. A Gallup poll in February indicated that 58% of Americans support openly transgender individuals serving in the military, a decrease from 71% support in 2019.
Former Fox News host and current Defense Secretary, Hegseth, has voiced opposition to gender-affirming care for transgender troops, strongly aligning with conservative viewpoints on cultural issues, including the elimination of Pentagon diversity initiatives.
—
Read More Health & Wellness News ; US News