Pentagon to remove transgender US service members from military

Expressing a false 'gender identity' divergent from an individual's sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service."

After returning to office in January, Trump issued an executive order that again took aim at transgender troops, saying

It is the policy of the United States government to establish high standards for service member readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity, and integrity,

said the memo, dated 26 February

The scope and severity of this ban is unprecedented. It is a complete purge of all transgender individuals from military service,

said Shannon Minter of the National Center For Lesbian Rights (NCLR).

Service members who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria will be processed for separation from military service,

says a memo outlining the policy, which was signed by the official performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness

The Department only recognizes two sexes: male and female,

the policy memo says