The recent Supreme Court Decision to allow President Trump’s policy on Transgender people serving in the military to move forward while lower courts continue to hear cases have many military personnel feeling uncertain of their status. Because the Mattis Policy, which is President Trump’s policy, seriously curtails Trans men and women from serving in the military we reached out to the Service members, Partners, Allies, for Respect and Tolerance for All (SPART*A). We asked what they recommended if a service member is “EXPECTING” to transition in the near future.
Their statement is as follows, “SPART*A recommends that any trans service member who expects to transition in the near future get a Gender Dysphoria diagnosis from a military provider ASAP. We expect the last injunction will be dropped soon and that DoD will implement the Mattis policy very shortly thereafter.” —Bryan Bree Fram, Communications Director for SPART*A.
Please note that SPART*A uses the words “…expects to transition in the near future…” in other words please use caution and do not try to rush to meet a diagnosis deadline just to access medical care. If you are unsure as to whether or not transition is in your future it is ok to do nothing, and say nothing. The key should be your own level of certainty as to your individual gender identity.
Once the Mattis policy goes into effect Transgender personnel can continue to serve but only if they serve in their gender of birth and do not seek to transition (look for our follow-up post in the near future as to what this means). Post-transitioned men and women who seek to join the military will be barred, and those who transitioned under the present guidance will be allowed to continue serving (however uncertainly).
Further information can be found at SPART*A’s website https://spartapride.org/ .