Top U.S. general recommends not kicking out transgender troops

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top U.S. general said on Tuesday he has urged the Trump administration not to kick transgender service members out of the military despite President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the armed forces.

Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was asked by Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing whether he agreed that the thousands of transgender men and women now in the military have served with honor and valor.

“I do, Senator,” Dunford responded. “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.”

Trump in July said he would ban transgender people from the military in a move that would reverse Democratic former President Barack Obama’s policy and halt years of efforts to eliminate barriers to military service based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

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#U.S. SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 / 4:10 PM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO
Idrees Ali
3 MIN READ


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-military-transgender/top-u-s-general-recommends-not-kicking-out-transgender-troops-idUSKCN1C12WK