Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., plans to introduce legislation next month that would allow transgender people to serve openly in the military.
Her legislation would repeal the Department of Defense's ban on transgender people, as Speier says it is outdated and serves no military or medical purpose, reported The Hill.
"The current ban has hurt our troops and damaged our national defense for too long. Many in uniform endure tremendous challenges and setbacks - emotional, financial, and professional - because they are forced to serve in silence," Speier wrote in a letter earlier this month aimed at garnering co-sponsors for her bill. "We have the opportunity to follow through on our promise to support our troops, no matter their gender identity. Now is the time to allow our transgender troops to serve openly and honestly."
Speier says that some 134,000 transgenders have already served in the military - 15,500 of whom are currently enlisted. And even though the "don't ask, don't tell" policy was repealed in 2011, allowing gays to serve openly without worry, the ban on transgender people remains.
The Pentagon also revamped its military equal opportunity policy last month to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members from harassment and discrimination, according to USA Today, but Speier says transgender troops still face possible discharge for revealing their gender identity, The Washington Times reported.
"They fight our wars, they serve honorably, but they do so at a price. They are forced to lie and hide their gender identity because of outdated policies prohibiting their open service," she said, according to The Times.
In February, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said he just wants the best service members possible, regardless of their gender identity.
"I'm very open-minded about what their personal lives and proclivities are, provided they can do what we need them to do for us. That's the important criteria. Are they going to be excellent service members?" Carter said, reported The Washington Post. "I don't think anything but their suitability for service should preclude them."
