Transgender troop ban faces scrutiny
An independent commission led by a former U.S. surgeon general has concluded there “is no compelling medical reason” for the U.S. armed forces to prohibit transgender Americans from serving. It’s urging President Barack Obama to lift the ban by executive order.
The five-member panel was convened by a think tank based at San Francisco State University. It says Department of Defense regulations designed to keep transgender people from joining or remaining in the military on the grounds that they are psychologically or physically unfit for duty are based on outdated beliefs and treatment standards.
The commission was co-chaired by Joycelyn Elders, who served as surgeon general under Bill Clinton.
At least a dozen nations allow military service by transgender individuals.
The Pentagon says it has no plans to revisit the ban.
