New US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter Open To Transgenders Serving In Military

New US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said in a question-and-answer session on Sunday with American soldiers in Kandahar, Afghanistan, that transgenders should not be banned from serving in the military.

He said that his fundamental starting point is that “we want to make our conditions and experience of service as attractive as possible to our best people in our country.” Carter added that he is very open minded about the matter, saying that whatever are the personal lives and proclivities of transgender are, what is more important is “they can do what we need them to do for us.”

The question came via email from Navy Lieutenant Commander Jesse Ehrenfeld, also a military doctor who recently treated a transgender. Enhrenfeld wrote, “I am continually struck by how these individuals, who risk their lives every day to support our mission, live not in fear of the enemy, but rather in fear of being discovered who they are.”

While the ban against openly gay soldiers was lifted in 2011 under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, the prohibition against transgenders remain, reports Washington Post. Following Carter’s statement, gay rights group called on the military on Monday to lift the ban on transgenders.

They said the Obama administration could unilaterally lift the ban on transgender in the military, who, according to think tank Williams Institute, are more than 15,000.

Of the 15,000, about 8,800 are in active duty, while about 6,700 are in the Guard or Reserve Forces. If the veterans and retired Guards or Reserves Forces members are counted, their number would jump to 134,000, the May 2014 report by the institute said.

Those opposed to the lifting of the ban said that removing the prohibition would negatively affect cohesion and combat readiness. But gay rights advocates cite the lack of incident when the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was put in place as example.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest hinted that the president shares Carter’s point of view when it comes to the issue of transgenders in the military. He said, “The president agrees with the sentiment that all Americans that are qualified to serve should be able to serve.”

Pentagon said on Monday that it would review beginning in February its health policy, including transgenders. A review normally runs from 12 to 18 months. Anti-transgender groups, however, think the review – which is a regular exercise in the military – would likely not change the ban on transgenders.

Supporters of the lifting include Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James who pushed for its lifting in December. Carter’s liberal attitude towards gays in the service is further confirmed by his appointment of his chief of staff Eric Fanning, who is openly gay, as Air Force undersecretary.

To contact the writer, email: v.hernandez@ibtimes.com.au