New Defense Secretary Carter: I'm open to transgender people serving in the military
Since the "don't ask, don't tell" policy of not disclosing one’s homosexuality was repealed in 2011, gays have been serving openly in the military. An estimated 15,000 transgendered troops, however, continue to serve in silence, and Ashton Carter, the Defense Department's new chief, says people’s ''personal lives and proclivities'' shouldn't disqualify them from service.
''[W]e want to make our conditions and experience of service as attractive as possible to our best people in our country. And I'm very open-minded about that,'' Carter said Sunday in Kandahar, Afghanistan during a Q&A session. ''I don't think anything but their suitability for service should preclude them.''
According to the Washington Post, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said President Obama ''agrees with the sentiment that all Americans that are qualified to serve should be able to serve,'' but referred further questions details regarding the military's policy to Carter's office.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK Published
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign port
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published