Biden Signs Executive Order Reversing Trump's Transgender Military Rules

President Biden signed an executive order today to reverse a rule by President Trump that largely prohibited transgender people from joining the military.

The new order immediately bans any service member from being forced to leave the military on the basis of gender identity. Not only does the new measure protect all transgender service members, it prevents involuntary separations or discharges based on their sexual orientation, Politico reports.

The executive order also requires authorities to locate and adjust records of any soldiers dismissed from the military because of their gender identity. This includes a dishonorable discharge which could be reversed to honorable.

Lt. Gen. Tom Spoehr, director of Heritage Foundations's Center for National Defense, says this policy "will contribute to a reduced level of military readiness in our armed forces, which are already hard-pressed to defend American interests around the globe." 

"The previous policy was often portrayed inaccurately by many on the Left and in the media. It explicitly allowed service by individuals who identify as transgender. The policy, designed by former Defense Secretary James Mattis, did, however, exclude those who suffer from gender dysphoria, a medically recognized condition," Spoehr explained. 

He contends there were legitimate reasons for President Trump's transgender military rules.

"After considerable study, the previous administration found gender dysphoric people attempt suicide at about nine times the rate of the general population. Service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria are also nine times more likely to have mental health encounters with a professional. Military service is inherently stressful. The suicide rate in the military already exceeds the general population's. It would immoral to place individuals at higher risk from mental injury – such as those suffering from gender dysphoria – in a situation where they are likely to experience extraordinary stress," Spoehr said.

Montana Addresses Transgender Students in Sports 

Meanwhile, in Montana, the House Judiciary Committee has passed two bills that would put restrictions on transgender youth and athletes.

According to the Montana Free Press, one bill bans trans women and girls from being a part of women's sports teams and the other prevents medical professionals from treating gender dysphoria.     

House Bill 112 aims to allocate all school sports teams from grade school through college based on the gender an athlete is assigned at birth.  

And House Bill 113 prevents medical specialists from providing hormonal therapy or gender-affirming surgery to minors and will impose a fine ranging from $500 to $50,000 to those who violate the order. Hearings before the full House could be scheduled for early next week.

STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FREE CBN NEWS APP 
Click Here Get the App with Special Alerts on Breaking News and Top Stories