Transgender troops soon will be able to serve openly, as a historic reversal on a gender dysphoria ban is expected within weeks.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter established a working group last July to measure the impact of allowing transgendered people to serve openly. A Pentagon spokesman on Tuesday said that officials are quickly moving toward a consensus after it was reported a “high-level” meeting took place Monday.
Peter Cook, the Pentagon’s spokesman, was asked at a Pentagon press briefing Tuesday if Carter changed his previous view that it’s hurtful to not allow transgender people to serve openly.
Cook reaffirmed Carter’s position to lift the ban. “[Secretary Carter] has indicated that he expects to make a final decision soon,” he added.
Another spokesman acknowledged “this process has taken some time.”
“There are those that would like to see a policy decision immediately,” Eric Pahon, a Pentagon spokesman said in a statement.
Pahon reiterated the importance for the Pentagon to consider the medical, privacy and service-unique issues so transgender troops can serve openly.
According to a Rand Corp. report, fewer than 2,500 of the military’s 1.2 million active duty troops are transgender, and only 65 would seek treatment.
Brad Carson, the Pentagon’s former acting undersecretary for personnel, is an advocate for the change. “The real accolades for this historic moment go to those brave transgender service members who raised their hands and demanded that their service and identity be recognized,” he said.
