Up First from NPR
India And Pakistan Conflict, Papal Conclave Begins, Transgender Military Ban
Wed, 07 May 2025
India struck multiple targets across Pakistan in the most extensive strikes in more than 50 years, the papal conclave to elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic church begins today, and the Supreme Court has allowed a ban on transgender people serving in the military. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today's episode of Up First was edited by Ryland Barton, Daniel Burke, Krishnadev Calamur, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Kaity Kline, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
What triggered the recent India and Pakistan conflict?
When it comes to the numbers of people, how many trans individuals are in the military right now under the policy that allowed them to enlist and serve?
According to Pentagon, about 0.2 percent of active military forces or about 4,000 individuals.
So, Nina, I'm wondering, who are the plaintiffs that brought this challenge?
They're a group of current and aspiring transgender service members, including lead plaintiff Emily Schilling, a Navy pilot who's flown more than 60 combat missions over her nearly two decades of military service. Ruling in their favor, Judge Benjamin Settle in Washington state.
who's a George W. Bush appointee, concluded that the government's classification of gender dysphoria as a disqualifying medical condition was essentially a ruse, motivated by hostility towards transgender people.
So, safe to say that the Supreme Court will eventually actually rule on this?
Probably the case will come back to the court next term for a final ruling, regardless of who wins in the Ninth Circuit.
All right, that's NPR's Nina Totenberg. Nina, thanks.
My pleasure.
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