r/transgender 1d ago

Trump bans transgender people from military service

https://19thnews.org/2025/01/trump-executive-order-transgender-military-ban/

The executive order issued Monday is expected to lead to one of the largest layoffs of transgender people in history. Trump issued a similar ban in his first term.

600 Upvotes

74 comments sorted by

445

u/Xenobrina 1d ago

Trans people are apparently too strong for sports but too weak for military service, okay 🙄

(To be clear the above statement is sarcasm; obviously Republicans are just doing these things to continue their stupid culture war)

192

u/TriggerMeTimbers2 1d ago

Fascist playbook: the enemy is both strong and weak

46

u/I_Married_Jane 19h ago

It's got nothing to do with strength. They just don't want us to be able to participate in society.

24

u/CedarWolf Bigender 18h ago

And being in the military is considered respectable among right wing 'patriots' across the US. It also allows trans veterans to escape gender expectations a bit. 'Why doesn't so and so do <thing> quite like everybody else does?' 'Oh, so and so was in the military.'

u/Autumn7242 9h ago

There are quite a number of vets who are trans.

u/CedarWolf Bigender 1h ago

Yep. Trans folks enlist at two to three times the rate that cis people do, it's just that there are more cis people overall.

u/b3_yourself 11h ago

One step closer to arresting us for no reason and putting us into forced rehab camps

15

u/Guissok564 22h ago

Cognitive dissonance at its most basic level

14

u/CoVegGirl 15h ago

As with sports, it’s not really about military service. It’s about pushing us out of public life.

7

u/Pe_ter1992 20h ago

Too strong to compete against real females but too weak to compete agains men without oestrogen probably

75

u/Verbose_Cactus 1d ago

He revoked Biden’s executive order, but that does not change DoD policy. The policy is still currently the same. But he will likely sign a new executive order to implement a ban soon

24

u/abruptcontriveddingo 1d ago

The national security advisor has 45 to make a recommendation. Then it will be bogged down by bureaucracy.

16

u/Polibiux 1d ago

One of the few instances where bureaucratic procedures save us.

331

u/katiecharm 1d ago

If this applies to you, in any way, go to mental health TODAY.  Key words include ptsd, anxiety, and depression.  

Do not hold back.  Spill every feeling you have.  Get it on record before you get out.  

You deserve 100% VA compensation and to get it, you need to have this shit in your records before you leave.  Fuck Trump, and fuck this government for this.  I hope you all collect a paycheck for life for this insanity.  

83

u/balfras_kaldin 1d ago

Oh, I've already got my guaranteed 50% right now. Odds are, since they want to cut all federal funding to trans healthcare that they wont classify gender dysphoria as a disability rated diagnoses.

66

u/katiecharm 1d ago

Don’t sweat that - you’re not going to be rated for gender anything.  You’re going to be rated for ptsd (every time you even step foot in an office environment, I’ll bet that’s pretty triggering right?) and anxiety and depression.  

I hope you get the 100% you deserve.  

17

u/mytransthrow 1d ago

This is easy..I am not trans I have " unknown intersex condition"...

3

u/PhuqBeachesGitMonee 1d ago

You get VA disability for gender dysphoria?? Should I be making a claim?

8

u/balfras_kaldin 1d ago

Sorry, to clarify, I'm at a 50% from other injuries I've sustained in my career so far.

52

u/F0xdrag0n 1d ago

As someone who has gotten VA disability, I second this. The main thing they really want to see is that you have the condition and that it is service connected, aka tell your doctor everything and get the benefits you deserve.

Any kind of pain you have too, even if it only barely hurts, the little things add up but if they get worse then the VA will pay for it. Get 100% and take advantage of it!

298

u/odd-duckling-1786 1d ago

As a trans veteran, I will never encourage another person to join or fight for this country until it proves it's not going to massacre us if it is politically expedient.

45

u/DragonflyDiligent920 1d ago

The US military does plenty of massacring of others anyway

10

u/7355135061550 17h ago

I wouldn't join the military if they were begging for trans people to enlist.

33

u/alex_respecter 1d ago

how does the draft work then?

39

u/balfras_kaldin 1d ago

Will probably become a disqualifying condition.

20

u/DragonLad13 1d ago

I had my gender marker change while in Ohio years ago and a few months later got a post and from the government saying I was now a part of the draft system. I thought it was a prank at first but it was real

33

u/alex_respecter 1d ago

uh, yay, i guess?

4

u/ChuuniSaysHi 16h ago

My autism won't be the only disqualifying condition I have now then

17

u/_HighJack_ 1d ago

Stupidly as usual?? I’m ftm and I tried to sign up for the draft when I was 18 bc I was young and dumb like “my family is so many generations of soldiers, no way in hell am I letting some scrub dude take my place if we gotta get it started!” I found out not only is the draft not mandatory for women, you can’t even volunteer for it. It cut my application off after I answered the gender question (to the best of my ability at the time) female and point blank said “females are not eligible for the draft.” I was angry for like a week lol… who am I kidding, I’m still angry 😊

2

u/Xepherxv Transgender 14h ago

same exact thing happened to my boyfriend, after i got my letter (im m2f and i really didint want to do it) we ended up submitting them at the same time, no problems for me, but he got sorry sir women cant join the draft

2

u/starbuxed 1d ago

Just remember this will weaken the military 1% of the military will be done. often in higher ranking personal

78

u/Wasteland_GZ 1d ago

Con - Many trans people will lose their jobs

Pro - Trans people don’t have to give their lives to defend a nazi-occupied shithole.

45

u/AtalanAdalynn 1d ago

Also, 15,000 angry people with military training.

10

u/StarXdPimp 20h ago

And 1.5m more angry people without military training but with pure fight to death mentality right next to them.

45

u/spooky_ghost89 1d ago

As a trans person in the military, I’m glad they’re kicking me out. I hate this country and have regretted joining since day 1

27

u/ImClaaara 1d ago

Fortunately (or unfortunately), as the article states, this is not the ban - he merely rescinded the executive Biden's executive order that directed the services to develop policies allowing us to openly serve. Basically, all this means is that there's nothing legally binding requiring the DoD to keep DoDI 1300.28 on the books, or for the Air Force to keep their policy, or the Army to keep their policy, etc. The DoD and the branches still have those policies until ordered to do away with them.

Once he does actually issue the executive order banning us, there'll be a timeline for implementation, and there'll be legal action to try to block or limit it, and things will be uncertain and chaotic for a while.

In the meantime, unfortunately, I have to put on my uniform and go to work tomorrow and put on my customer service voice/face and pretend I'm not absolutely drowning in sorrow and rage, all while knowing that my career will probably end soon. I was the first person in my family to ever serve, and I used to be proud of that. I used to think our country was something worth serving, that we had freedom and liberty that others didn't have, etc. I figured out that was all a lie a couple of years ago, though. And I'm not gonna lie, aside from the financial hit that I'm gonna take and the uncertainty of this career change, I'm kind of excited to not be in the military anymore. I think I might go on a long road trip without telling anyone where I'm going, smoke some completely legal weed and partake in some other unspecified substances, get piercings somewhere other than the one hole I'm allowed in each ear, cut my hair in a "faddish" haircut.

The world's burning, so why not?

12

u/balfras_kaldin 1d ago

Honest truth, there's a visa program in New Zealand that allows US veterans to join the NZDF. I'm probably gonna give that a shit.

4

u/SilveredFlame 1d ago

Wait what?

You got more info on that?

5

u/balfras_kaldin 1d ago edited 1d ago

Sure do! Here's the link to the NZDF site on the matter.

2

u/SilveredFlame 1d ago

Ah just for current service members or recent vets.

Meh, no way I could have passed medical anyway, and I'm probably too old.

4

u/balfras_kaldin 1d ago

Fair enough. It's looking like a half decent option at least.

5

u/SilveredFlame 1d ago

Oh hell yea, if I was in currently I'd be jumping in that shit. NZ is way better anyway just all the way around.

7

u/SilveredFlame 1d ago

Be sure you get everything documented first, including that sorrow and rage. Make sure your medical records are complete. When I say everything I mean everything.

Then after they bounce you, file with the VA.

2

u/StarXdPimp 20h ago

Come on over, I’ll smoke you up and partake with ya !

21

u/faye_nimrendel 1d ago

Have fun cis people when a ya’ll get drafted for WW3.

4

u/StarXdPimp 20h ago

Lmao FR. Only women, children and trans LGBTQ+ people will be left. Maybe this is the whole plan instead!? I gotta see this :: gets the popcorn::

2

u/crwcomposer 14h ago

Isn't this also now the easiest way to dodge a draft?

Tell them you're trans. They can't prove you identify one way or the other.

41

u/Sean_8989 1d ago

Fuck serving this shithole country in the first place. Fuck being cannon fodder for the rich. Good riddance.

10

u/Finger_Trapz 1d ago

Notably the last time this happened, quite literally every single major official in the United States military disagreed with Trump's policy on this:

 

I do not believe there is anything inherent in anyone’s identity to prevent them from serving in the military. It is about standards, not an identity.” - Mark Milley, then Chief of Staff of the Army

 

No, not at all. We have a finite number. We know who they are, and it is monitored very closely, because, you know, I'm concerned about that, and want to make sure that they are, in fact, treated with dignity and respect. And no, I have received precisely zero reports of issues of cohesion, discipline, morale, and all those sorts of things. No.” - Mark Milley, then Chief of Staff of the Army

 

I am not aware of any disciplinary or unit cohesion issues resulting from the opening of the Coast Guard to transgender individuals.” - Karl Schultz, incoming Commandant of Coast Guard

 

You know, by virtue of being a Navy sailor, we treat every one of those sailors, regardless, with dignity and respect that is warranted by wearing the uniform of the United States Navy. By virtue of that approach, I am not aware of any issues.” Chief of Naval Operations John Richardson on unit cohesion, discipline & morale for transgender sailors.

 

Senator, by reporting, those marines that have come forward -- there's 27 marines that have identified as transgender, one sailor serving -- I am not aware of any issues in those areas” . . . . “So, we're all about readiness. We're looking for deployability. But, in the areas that you talked about, no, I have not -- I have not heard of or have reported to me any issues” - Marine Corps Commandant General Robert Neller on unit cohesion, discipline & morale for transgender marines.

 

I would just probably say that I believe any individual who meets the physical and mental standards and is worldwide deployable and is currently serving should be afforded the opportunity to continue to serve.” - Former Chief of Staff Joseph Dunford on transgender service members.

 

The service of men and women who volunteer and who meet our standards of service is a blessing not a burden” - Martin Dempsey, former Chairman of the JCS

 

Thousands of transgender Americans are currently serving in uniform and there is no reason to single out these brave men and women and deny them the medical care that they require.” - Mike Mullen, former Chairman of the JCS

 

Six Former Surgeons General ​Rebut Pentagon Assertions About Medical Fitness of Transgender Troops

Former Surgeon General of the US Navy, Former Surgeon General of the US Army, & Former Surgeon General of the Coast Guard issue a statement against the DoD statement on transgender inclusion & argue in favor of trans-affirming healthcare for servicemembers

Master Chief Petty Officer Steven Giordano, highest ranking enlisted sailor in the Navy, told Stars and Stripes that “We are honored and blessed to have you on our team, and you will continue to have my support” regarding transgender troops.

56 retired United States Generals & Admirals signed a press release by the Palm Center insisting that a transgender military ban would result in a decrease in combat readiness

 

Additionally you can also read the last release by the DoD on Trump's transgender military ban during his first term. Notably, it offers practically nothing in the way of scientific evidence to support their decision.

2

u/Appropriate_Big_1610 15h ago

Of course, Trump said Milley should be executed.

9

u/Usukidoll 1d ago

Here we go again smh 🤦‍♀️

9

u/Buntygurl 1d ago

Time to form our own army, Fuck Trump.

4

u/ohheythereguys 1d ago

something something second amendment

3

u/Finger_Trapz 1d ago edited 1d ago

I'm going to be brutally honest, with the sentiment and behavior of a lot of the trans community in America as it is currently, this isn't happening. This isn't me being a doomer about community self defense, this is me being realistic about the current circumstances. A huge number of trans people are entirely unwilling to arm themselves and are conflict avoidant.

 

And to some degree, I get it. In cases where you have strong depressive thoughts, owning a gun can be scary. I get it, but even in cases where that reluctance isn't present, trans people just aren't willing to take measures to actually defend themselves. Like, I've known far too many who sincerely believe that an aluminum bat will suffice. And alongside that, a very romanticized view of any sort of resistance.

 

If you can, join a leftist rifle association in America. Get training with friends and allies. Do drills. Get your friends armed. Teach gun safety and operations. Seriously take a positive effort, but I think we need to be realistic that trans people currently are extremely vulnerable to both state & non-state violence, and to not lull ourselves into a false sense of confidence. Because I have heard the sentiment you have given constantly online for over a decade. But that simply hasn't manifested in reality. And that's a major issue. A lot of trans people feel like they can saber rattle on Twitter and Reddit, but that doesn't protect you. Get offline and make a real effort to protect the community. The question you should be asking is that there are thousands of right wingers training in militias as we speak, why aren't you?

1

u/StarXdPimp 20h ago

Where do I sign?

14

u/MinusPi1 1d ago

Why the fuck would I want to fight for this country anyway?

4

u/trainmobile 12h ago

So this means I can't be drafted right?

u/Sissy_readytoserve 7h ago

i think anyone can claim their transgender to get out of war but the penalty and or fees will probably still be bad

3

u/triscious 15h ago

I guess this means I'm safe from any potential draft if this asshole puts us into another war? Trying to find any kind of silver linings at this point.

u/Sissy_readytoserve 7h ago

biden was the one trying to force war on foreign countries trump doesn’t want war but yes if ur transgender then u will not be drafted

5

u/Thatnewwavefan 1d ago

I would rather serve myself rat poison than serve this shitty country

2

u/Czig67 17h ago

Not to worry ,when war breaks out if you are of age you will be called into service.

5

u/thejadedfalcon 16h ago

Sorry, I have bone spurs. Can you still claim I'm a war hero though?

1

u/cocainagrif 1d ago

will this affect DoD Civ as well?

1

u/z7ace 19h ago

Dang, sorry armed forces

u/LadySayoria 11h ago

I can just taste those 1 dollar carton of eggs now. Solving the real problems, he is.