Transgender troops speak up as they're forced out
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What led to the ban on transgender individuals in the military?
It is true that President Trump has now twice banned transgender people from enlisting or serving in the U.S. military. But during the first Trump administration, there was an exception.
I did what the service asked me to do. It seemed kind of silly to me, but this was what the checklist was.
Logan Ireland became a master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, and for a while he benefited from something of a grandfather clause. When the Department of Defense announced its restrictions on trans service members in March of 2019, it allowed troops to continue to serve if, by the time the policy went into effect a month later in April, they had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria by a military doctor. So Ireland rushed to make an appointment and obtain that diagnosis of gender dysphoria, even though... I've never felt necessarily dysphoric about who I am.
You know, I'm Logan.
How did the first Trump administration's policy affect transgender troops?
I happen to be, you know, born female, but I transitioned to male. And I'm just here living my life and doing my job.
The diagnosis went on file. Ireland went back to his job. President Biden's administration then reversed the ban on transgender troops.
You know, we're service members first. We all raise our right hand. We wear the same uniform. We deploy over the world. You know, we not only meet but exceed the standards. The only difference is we just happen to be transgender.
Then, on the first day of his second term, President Trump again took aim at trans service members with an executive order titled Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness. About a month later, people with gender dysphoria were disqualified from military service under a new Defense Department policy. At the time, the DOD said there were over 4,200 people in the military with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. It doesn't seem real. It's been a feeling of being kicked down, being betrayed. People like Ireland, who once sought an official diagnosis in order to keep their jobs, are now set to lose those jobs because of it. Consider this. The Pentagon is now actively removing nearly all remaining openly transgender troops.
In their parting messages, they and their allies say it is only hurting, not helping, military readiness.
From NPR, I'm Scott Detrow.
It's Consider This from NPR. Tensions with Iran remain high. The heavy presence of U.S. forces in the Caribbean continues and relations have frayed with key military allies. But under Defense Secretary Pete Hexeth's anti-DEI push, the Pentagon is still aggressively pursuing separations with transgender service members. One of our producers, NPR's Lauren Hodges, has been in contact with several of the people affected. Here's her report.
The room applauds as 71-year-old retired four-star General Stanley McChrystal approaches the podium. I can't believe he's here, someone whispers. Almost as if he heard them, McChrystal says this into the microphone. First off, we shouldn't be here. Here is a retirement ceremony for five transgender service members who have been forcibly separated from the military under the Trump administration's second ban. The event has been organized by the advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign in lieu of a proper Pentagon ceremony.
When these professionals finally decide to retire, it should happen on parade fields, in offices, on the deck of ships, wherever the Space Force goes, I don't know.
The playful dig at the military's newest branch gets a laugh from the room full of service members. McChrystal became a household name in the early to mid-2000s, during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But today, he's here in a suit and tie to preside over this ceremony.
We gather today to recognize Commander Blake Drummond, United States Navy, Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Grazek, United States Air Force, Chief Petty Officer Jada McGuire, United States Coast Guard, Sergeant First Class Catherine Schmidt, United States Army, Colonel Bree Fram, United States Air Force.
Before the ban, Colonel Bree Fram was the highest-ranking transgender member of the U.S. Armed Forces. An astronautical engineer, she deployed to Iraq and Qatar during the Iraq War and later served as an officer in the U.S.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What led to the ban on transgender individuals in the military?
0:00–0:51
2
How did the first Trump administration's policy affect transgender troops?
0:51–4:45
3
What changes did President Biden make regarding transgender service members?
4:45–6:10
4
What was the impact of the second Trump administration's executive order?
6:10–8:44
5
How do transgender service members feel about being removed from the military?
8:44–11:03
Speakers
8 identifiedMore from Consider This from NPR
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