US Military Uses Closed Hearings to Oust 600 Trans Troops After Trump Ban
Updated
Updated · Queerty · Aug 4
US Military Uses Closed Hearings to Oust 600 Trans Troops After Trump Ban
3 articles · Updated · Queerty · Aug 4
Summary
Hundreds of transgender service members who refused buyouts are being pushed out through closed military hearings that often bar them from attending and leave no public transcript.
26 of 27 cases handled by lawyer Priya Rashid have ended in discharge, which she says shows a process stacked against troops after the Trump order barring transgender service.
Gender dysphoria diagnoses required for transition-related care are being used as the basis for removal, while character references from commanders and fellow soldiers are usually disregarded.
One officer, Maj. Kara Corcoran, was removed five days before qualifying for a pension, underscoring how the hearings can end careers and benefits with little transparency.
About 4,000 transgender troops were serving when the ban was issued; most accepted payouts to leave, while lawyers say roughly 600 sought help fighting their expulsions.