Bill would restrict transgender people from military service

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio on Thursday introduced legislation that would disqualify most people with a history of gender dysphoria from serving in the U.S. military. The bill would also require troops to identify as their biological sex, and anyone who has received transgender surgery would not be eligible to serve. Backers of the legislation include Heritage Action and the Family Research Council. Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., is expected to introduce companion legislation to the U.S. House.

What is the history of bans like this? After some litigation, former President Donald Trump in 2019 instituted a policy that restricted transgender individuals’ involvement in the military. Transgender personnel already serving were allowed to continue. President Joe Biden repealed the policy in 2021 shortly after taking office.

Dig deeper: Read Mary Jackson’s report in Relations about the costs associated with encouraging openly transgender military recruits.