Transgender Naval Academy Plebes Will Have To Identify By Birth Gender Starting In 2020, Unless They Have A Doctor's Note
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The U.S. Naval Academy will follow President Donald Trump's new policy regarding transgendered in the military, beginning with the 2020 school year.
A U.S. Navy spokesman confirmed the policy change to WJZ-TV on Monday. The school in Annapolis, Maryland, currently accepts transgender students and retains midshipmen who transition to another gender.
However the updated policy would make someone who is transgender identify by the gender that they were given at birth unless they have a doctor's note.
"This updated policy is not a ban on service by transgender persons. The 2018 Policy ensures consistent standards regarding the treatment of gender dysphoria when compared to similar medical conditions in order to maintain readiness and lethality.
On 18 March 2018, the Secretary of the Navy released ALNAV 022/19, Military Service by Transgender Persons and Persons with Gender Dysphoria Interim Guidance. The Chief of Naval Personnel released NAVADMIN 070/19 19 March 2019.
These two documents provided instruction for the implementation of the policy change in accordance with the Department of Defense's Directive-type Memorandum (DTM)-19-004 – Military Service by Transgender Person and Persons with Gender Dysphoria."
The change follows a policy shift under the Trump Administration to bar people who are transgender from serving in the military. The new policy applies to students enrolled in the 2020-21 school year and beyond.
"Our understanding is that the policy will go into effect for those students applying to enter the Naval Academy in 2020, beginning with the Class of 2024," a Naval Academy spokesperson told WJZ in an email.
The Obama Administration lifted restrictions on transgender service members in 2016. It allows them to serve openly and covered gender affirmation surgery.
Midshipman Regan Kibby, currently enrolled in the academy, is one of six service members suing the Trump administration over its ban.
Read the policy here.
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