INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Transgender Soldiers: U.S. Military Still Divided On Controversial Issue

By Jennifer Deutschmann
Published on: 04:25 PST, May 16, 2016

Transgender soldiers remain a controversial issue in the United States military. Earlier this year, Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter confirmed the Pentagon will consider allowing transgender soldiers to openly serve. However, four months later, no clear decisions have been made.

According to the Washington Post, Carter formed a panel, which was instructed to assess how transgender people would be allowed to openly serve in the U.S. military and the impact the decision would make. Although he set a deadline for the decision, it appears to have been delayed.

Officials blame the delay on divisions within the Department of Defense and do not expect a definitive verdict anytime soon.

Acting personnel chief Peter Levine said the Pentagon remains staunchly committed to making a change. However, he admitted it will take several months to finalize the details.

Levine said a consensus has not been reached because there are widely differing views among military leaders. He added. “we’re going to work through that … we’re going to do it expeditiously in this administration. It’s important that we not only do it, but do it right.”

The U.S. military already made momentous transitions, including the decision to allow female soldiers to serve in combat roles. However, transgender rights remain a highly controversial issue within the military and throughout the United States.

Historically, transgender people were considered sexual deviants who had no place in the military. In most cases, they were unceremoniously discharged as soon as they were found out.

Washington Blade reports Carter initially announced his support for a new policy last year. If implemented, the policy would make it more difficult for transgender people to be forced out of the military. However, the policy has not been implemented and continues to leave transgender soldiers in limbo.

Palm Center, a human rights think tank that focuses on topics involving sexuality, estimates there are more than 12,800 transgender soldiers currently serving in the U.S. military. Although it is still frowned upon, fewer soldiers are hiding their status.

Army Staff Sgt. Patricia King said she is the first openly transgender member of the military. Despite an official policy barring military personnel from revealing their transgender status, King said she is simply tired of hiding.

King said her superiors have been supportive. Although she cannot wear it at this time, Patricia admitted she purchased a female dress service uniform — in the hopes that it will not be long before she can wear it. “I made a decision that owning that uniform was important to me and I believe that our leadership is going to do the right thing,” she said.

In contrast, transgender Army Sgt. Shane Ortega, who went to a uniform shop to buy a female dress uniform, said it was an unpleasant experience that demonstrated a lack of leadership and human compassion. Army spokesman Wayne Hall said Ortega has a right to wear the female uniform because he enrolled as a woman in 2009.

Some transgender service members who requested transfers said they are facing indefinite delays due to the current controversy within the Pentagon.

Those seeking increased rights are specifically concerned about the military’s stance on issues including healthcare coverage. For example, the Pentagon does not provide medical assistance for conditions like gender dysphoria, a psychological condition related to being born with the wrong physical gender. There is also concern as to whether the military will pay for gender reassignment surgery upon request from active service members.

Speaking to an auditorium filled with Air Force cadets, Carter said the Pentagon will eventually work through the change. He explained that the delay simply ensures the issue of transgender soldiers in the military will be thoroughly addressed.

[Image via Sean Locke/Shutterstock]

Share this article: Transgender Soldiers: U.S. Military Still Divided On Controversial Issue
More from Inquisitr