California Rep. Sara Jacobs leads an initiative to repeal the Pentagon's ban on transgender service members. Joined by 41 lawmakers, including prominent Democrats, the letter urges Defense Secretary to reverse the directive, citing that approximately 15,000 transgender individuals serve actively. It emphasizes their qualifications align with military standards, and that the financial cost of their medical care is negligible compared to the military's overall healthcare budget. The letter highlights potential risks to military readiness and recruitment, stressing every qualified American should have the opportunity to serve, reflecting the increasing identification of younger generations as LGBTQ+.
The letter highlights the significant contributions of transgender service members, who serve at twice the rate of the general population, with an estimated 15,000 transgender people currently on active duty or the reserves.
Studies have shown that transgender service members meet the same military standards as their cisgender peers, and the financial cost of providing medical care for transgender troops is minimal compared to overall military health care expenditures.
The lawmakers wrote, 'Any American who currently does - or can in the future - meet the standards required of military service should have the opportunity to serve.'
The letter warns that the ban could have detrimental effects on military readiness and recruitment, especially as younger generations increasingly identify as LGBTQ+.
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