The Trump administration issued official guidelines on how to implement its new restrictions on transgender military service members late Tuesday, including barring from service those who require treatment for gender dysphoria, The Washington Post reports.
Trump's controversial policy takes effect April 12.
Transgender troops who transitioned before service will not be eligible to enlist unless they serve as their sex identified at birth, and service members who appear transgender or act transgender by failing to meet grooming, uniform, and other military standards for their birth sex will be discharged.
Transgender troops must also file for waivers for use of showers, bathrooms, physical fitness, and other standards.
"This new policy does not allow discrimination based on gender identity," a Pentagon spokesperson said. "You can reveal your preference and reveal you are transgender, but you have to serve under standards of your biological sex."
Democrats slammed the guidelines.
"I would like to know what it is that the president is so afraid of?" said Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., who chairs the House Armed Services subcommittee on personnel.
"Transgender troops have served for decades and carried out multiple deployments, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, to protect our country and freedoms. These tough, brave service members have never used bone spurs as an excuse to dodge their duty and service to our country. We owe them our gratitude, not government-sanctioned discrimination."
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