Trump’s ‘mad dog’ war secretary keeps transgender people out

This 26 July 2017 video from the USA is called Trump Banning Transgender People From Military.

Translated from Dutch daily De Volkskrant today:

US Defense Secretary postpones admitting transgender recruits

A decision to allow transgender recruits to join the armed forces has been delayed by the US government for six months. …

In 2016, the then [Obama administration] Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced that the ban on transgender persons in the army would be lifted. … Carter’s deadline for lifting the ban was 1 July [2017].

Last week, the defense department received a request from the commanders of the army, air force and navy to postpone the final decision on the admission of transgender people. … [Donald Trump‘s Secretary of War ‘Mad Dog’] Mattis has listened to this call with his delay of six months. Many Republicans in the US Congress are opposed to allowing transgender recruits. …

The American Military Partner Organization, a group dedicated to LGBTQ rights in the US army, is disappointed by Mattis‘s decision. It’s an unnecessary delay that causes transgender people to wait longer before they can be honest about their identity when they join. Human Rights Watch agrees.

Trump’s policy is clear: Civilian casualties don’t matter in the War on Terror. Multiple air strikes on cities and the use of white phosphorus – a probable war crime – guarantee a growing death toll. The Nation, June 21, 2017, by Phyllis Bennis.

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