Six months to implement US transgender ban

This article is more than 12 months old

Aug 25, 2017 06:00 am

WASHINGTON: The White House is expected to tell the Pentagon in the coming days how to implement a ban on transgender people in the military, according to a memo that says the US Defence Secretary may decide whether to remove service members based on their ability to deploy, a US official said on Wednesday.

The two-and-a-half-page White House document gives Defense Secretary Jim Mattis six months to fully implement the ban, according to a story first reported by The Wall Street Journal and then confirmed by the official.

It also directs the US Defence Department to deny admittance to transgender individuals and to stop spending on medical treatment regimens for those currently serving, the Journal reported, citing officials.

Mr Mattis is expected to consider "deployability" - meaning the ability to serve in a war zone, participate in exercises or live for months on a ship - as the main legal reason to decide whether to separate service members from the military, the Journal reported. - REUTERS