Transgender not allowed to serve

– President Donald Trump yesterday announced that transgender people may not serve “in any capacity” in the US military, citing the “tremendous medical costs and disruption” their presence would cause.

In late June, Pentagon chief Jim Mattis had delayed for six months a plan put in place under Barack Obama’s administration to accept transgender recruits.

An estimated 2 500 to 7 000 transgender people are among the 1.3 million active service members.

“After consultation with my Generals ... the United States will not accept or allow ... Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the US Military,” Trump wrote on Twitter. – AFP