Biden Allows Transgender Military Service... Another Reversal of Trump Policy

Former President Trump’s Ban on Transgender Military Service Overturned
"Soldiers Should Be Evaluated Solely on Ability, Not Gender Identity"

On the 25th (local time), U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order allowing transgender individuals to serve in the military in his White House office. Washington, USA ? Photo by AP

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] U.S. President Joe Biden has abruptly allowed transgender individuals to serve in the military. This move is being seen as another turning point in the decades-long controversy over LGBTQ+ service members in the U.S. military.

According to foreign media on the 25th (local time), President Biden issued an executive order reversing the policy of former President Donald Trump, who had banned transgender military service. The White House, in a press release issued immediately after signing the executive order, stated, "There will no longer be discrimination based on sexual orientation in the U.S. military," adding, "Service members should be evaluated solely on their ability, not their sexual orientation. That is what makes our America stronger."

Specifically, the order prohibits all forms of discrimination, exclusion, discharge, and forced separation against LGBTQ+ service members. It also directs the Department of Defense to take necessary measures to implement this order across the military and National Guard. Furthermore, it instructs a comprehensive review of records of those who were discharged or denied reenlistment due to gender identity, with a report to be submitted within 60 days.

Previously, in 2016, former President Barack Obama allowed transgender individuals to serve in the military for the first time in U.S. history and prohibited discharge or separation based on gender identity. However, the following year, newly inaugurated President Trump reversed this policy and ordered a complete halt to the recruitment of transgender individuals into the military. He described the measure as "a step to protect military readiness." In response, Nancy Pelosi, Democratic House Minority Leader, criticized Trump, saying, "President Trump is actually promoting discrimination."

The controversy over LGBTQ+ military service began to gain public attention during the Bill Clinton administration. President Clinton campaigned on "allowing LGBTQ+ individuals to serve freely in the military," and in 1993 implemented the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. This policy allowed LGBTQ+ individuals to serve freely under the condition that superiors would not inquire about subordinates' sexual orientation, and service members would not disclose their own sexual orientation. Although the original plan was to allow free service for LGBTQ+ individuals, strong opposition from Congress and civic groups led to a compromise policy that permitted service only if sexual orientation was concealed.

After the implementation of this policy, criticism grew that it suppressed LGBTQ+ service members by preventing them from openly disclosing their gender identity. Consequently, the Obama administration officially repealed it in 2011. Four years later, in 2015, the Department of Defense formally codified a policy prohibiting discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals within the military's equal opportunity framework, ensuring that LGBTQ+ service members receive equal treatment in promotions and other matters. At that time, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter stated, "Meritocracy is the most important value in the military," adding, "Reflecting diversity within America is essential to this."

Meanwhile, according to the U.S. research organization RAND Corporation, as of 2016, approximately 2,450 transgender service members were serving in the active-duty U.S. military.