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| Transgender troops could serve openly under US military plan | Transgender troops could serve openly under US military plan |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The US military is considering a plan that would allow transgender people to serve openly in the armed forces. | |
| "The Defence Department's current regulations regarding transgender service members are outdated and are causing uncertainty," US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said on Monday. | "The Defence Department's current regulations regarding transgender service members are outdated and are causing uncertainty," US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said on Monday. |
| Transgender people now serve in the military, but their experiences vary. | Transgender people now serve in the military, but their experiences vary. |
| Over the next six months, a group will study whether lifting the ban will adversely affect the military. | Over the next six months, a group will study whether lifting the ban will adversely affect the military. |
| But Mr Carter said the group will begin with the presumption that transgender people should be able to serve openly. | But Mr Carter said the group will begin with the presumption that transgender people should be able to serve openly. |
| "We have transgender soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines - real, patriotic Americans - who I know are being hurt by an outdated, confusing, inconsistent approach," Mr Carter said. | "We have transgender soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines - real, patriotic Americans - who I know are being hurt by an outdated, confusing, inconsistent approach," Mr Carter said. |
| In 2011, the US military ended its policy of "don't ask, don't tell" allowing gay people to serve openly. Military officials cited that successful transition when discussing the transgender changes. | In 2011, the US military ended its policy of "don't ask, don't tell" allowing gay people to serve openly. Military officials cited that successful transition when discussing the transgender changes. |
| However, the repeal of ban raises questions about whether military would conduct or pay for the medical costs of surgery and other treatment associated with any gender transition. | However, the repeal of ban raises questions about whether military would conduct or pay for the medical costs of surgery and other treatment associated with any gender transition. |
| Military officials said the six-month evaluation period would allow the services to figure out health care and housing and provide training to troops to smooth the transition. | Military officials said the six-month evaluation period would allow the services to figure out health care and housing and provide training to troops to smooth the transition. |
| Guidelines require that transgender people be dismissed from the military, but many serve in secret or under supportive commanders. | Guidelines require that transgender people be dismissed from the military, but many serve in secret or under supportive commanders. |