... but in UK, top brass tweet their support for equal rights

British transgender people are protected by law to serve in the military under the Equality Act 2010.

Last night, some of the UK’s most senior officers criticised President’s Trump’s ban on transgender service-people.

Rear Admiral Alex Burton tweeted: ‘As a Royal Navy LGBT champion and senior warfighter I am so glad we are not going this way.’

Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Jonathan Woodcock also gave his support on social media, adding: ‘So proud of our transgender personnel. They bring diversity to our Royal Navy and I will always support their desire to serve their country.

‘I suspect many who doubt the abilities of our diverse service personnel might be more reluctant to serve than they are to comment.’

The Army’s LGBT champion, Lieutenant General Patrick Sanders, said in February: ‘Only if individuals are free to be themselves can we release the genie of their potential.’

On its diversity pages, the Army website states that transgender soldiers ‘serve throughout the Army playing their part in the country’s security’.

It adds: ‘The Army welcomes transgender personnel and ensures all who apply to join are considered for service subject to meeting the same mental and physical entry standard as any other candidate.

‘If you have completed transition you will be treated as an individual of your acquired gender.’

In Britain, the ban on homosexuals serving in the military was lifted in 2000 under Tony Blair’s government.

Equally, the RAF states it is an ‘inclusive employer’ that values diversity.

The government legislation was brought in to offer legal protection for those serving who have undergone gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.