The military announced in 2016 that transgender individuals already serving in the military would be allowed to serve openly. As a result, transgender individuals continue to serve openly and transgender individuals have been allowed to enlist in the military since Jan. 1, 2018. An exception allows the service of transgender service members who previously relied on the Obama-era rule. Groups representing transgender individuals have responded by arguing that the policy is essentially a ban on the service by transgender individuals. NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter called Friday's decision "a devastating slap in the face to transgender service members."

Source: Economic Times January 04, 2019 17:03 UTC