Trump military transgender ban goes ahead **This post was edited by MNHQ**

I disagree with the ban as I believe it is a typical right wing aversion/transphobia issue. I don’t believe the medical thing is the actual reason it’s being done as many roles in the military do allow people with various disabilities/ medication requirements to serve.

The main Issue for me is the same as for eg changing facilities and other single sex accommodation. Military should allow trans identified individuals, but keep sex, not gender, segregation when appropriate (showering etc). Somehow I don’t think either the right or left in the US would support my opinion...

Yes. Elizabeth I had it right:

I would not open windows into men's souls.

(Is that the opposite of Layla Moran?)

the ban shouldn’t be on ‘identity as transgender.’ It should be on ‘requirements for medication/treatment while serving.’

If someone identifies as trans, has no medication needs and is in every other way able to meet serving criteria they should serve. If they don’t meet medical criteria they shouldn’t

The court lifted the stay on the ban while lawsuits work through the lower courts.

It can be enforced for now.

I'm not in favor of an outright ban, and if a person serves, I am in complete favor of them getting the benefits promised them. Bennies are there to persuade people to serve.

Is this a ban on anyone expressing a different gender role with no associated hormones or medications?

Or is it a ban on anyone who has significant health and medication needs?

Because if it’s the latter it is justified. There are strict conditions of health to be met for the US military - a waiver can’t be created for anyone because they’re trans. The rules should apply equally to all.

If x degree of medication regime is required, then you're out, regardless of what it’s for.

I think it's fair. Nobody has a right to join. There are asthmatics and diabetics who would love the opportunity to serve, and who could probably contribute much more; as groups they have far fewer co-morbid MH issues and both asthma and diabetes can be well-managed.
But if the military doesn't want to be liable for an individual who will have medical needs on a tour of duty that can't be met, then they have to exclude people who have ongoing medication needs, and that would include trans people.
The other two complicating factors for the US are that service means GI Bill entitlement to financial assistance with education (serve a few years and get a college degree paid for) and healthcare (VA hospitals etc).
In the US both university and hospital bills can be tens if not hundreds of thousands so being able to serve becomes more appealing. Although the arguments are always about patriotism and defending one's country, the reality is the US military is so vast and with so many branches that active service in deployment is the exception rather than the rule.