Transgender Navy sailors may dress as “their preferred gender” when they are not on duty, according to new guidelines unveiled by the Navy.
Although the U.S. military is poised to implement a policy on Friday that would bar most transgender troops, the Navy has agreed to allow transgender service members to “live socially” as the gender they identify as, provided they are not in uniform. Troops were provided a dress code guidance earlier this week, and a Navy spokesperson confirmed to NBC News that transgender troops would have freedom in how they dress while they are not on duty.
“There is no policy that prohibits the ability of a Service Member to express themselves off-duty in their preferred gender,” the dress code guidance says. “Appropriate civilian attire, as outlined in the uniform regulations, will not be determined based on gender.”
Melody Stachour, a trans chief petty officer in the Navy Reserve, told NBC the Navy’s rules are “an attempt to support trans service members to the maximum extent possible, even while they are constrained by the overall policy that they are governed by.
“This is not just good for the sailors, but also for the Navy,” she said. She argued “it allows them to retain sailors who are doing an excellent job … while acknowledging that they are still required to follow the orders given by their seniors.”
The Pentagon’s new policy that will take effect on Friday bars those who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria from joining the military unless they have been medically stable for 36 months and they haven’t already transitioned to their identified gender. They also must serve as their biological sex.
The policy will permit current transgender troops who already transitioned or are receiving treatment to transition to serve.
The Pentagon has denied that the new policy is a ban on transgender troops and claims “all persons will continue to be treated with dignity and respect.”
