SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The San Diego City Council today will consider a resolution affirming the city's opposition to the federal government's exclusion of transgender people from joining the U.S. military.
President Donald Trump first announced the exclusionary policy in July 2017, reversing a 2016 policy during the Obama administration that allowed transgender people to serve in the military and receive gender reassignment surgery. Trump argued transgender soldiers are a distraction and the policy would allow the military to focus on its primary operations.
``Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming ... victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail,'' Trump wrote in a pair of 2017 Twitter posts.
The policy, which went into effect in April after a lengthy court battle from transgender military personnel and LGBTQ advocates, allows currently serving transgender personnel to remain in the military, receive hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery. However, transgender people who are taking hormones or have received gender-affirming surgery will not be allowed to enlist in any branch of the military.
The council's Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee voted 3-0 at its June 6 meeting.
``We have a strong show of support in this broad community for our trans and non-binary neighbors and we want to see them be able to serve their country if that is their calling,'' said City Councilman Chris Ward at the committee meeting. ``Our trans and non-binary community members have stood with the LGB community during `Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and it's time that we stand with them against a policy built on fear, division and discrimination.''
The council is scheduled to consider the resolution during its 2 p.m. session. The council will meet in the City Administration Building's 12th floor Council Chamber at 202 C St.