http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5538659/Trump-order-ban-transgender-troo...Trump issues order to ban most transgender troops from serving in military except under 'limited circumstances' - and instantly sparks fierce transphobic Twitter debate
Trump announced on Twitter last July a ban on transgender service members
It says Defense Sec. Jim Mattis must expel 'non-deployable' service members
And being transgender makes them 'non-deployable,' the guidelines say
Proposals faced several legal challenges with federal judges - in Baltimore, Washington, Seattle and Riverside, California - all issuing rulings blocking ban
The judges said the ban would likely violate the right under the U.S. Constitution to equal protection under the law
Today, the White House said retaining troops with a history of 'gender dysphoria' 'presents considerable risk to military effectiveness and lethality'
Ban reverses Obama-era plan to allow transgender individuals to serve openly
Transgender troops have been allowed to serve openly since January 1
Move has been condemned by celebrities, Democrats and the LGBT community
George Takei called the move the act of 'bullies and cowards', while Nancy Pelosi branded it a 'hateful ban... built to humiliate our brave transgender members'
By Hannah Parry For Dailymail.com and Associated Press
PUBLISHED: 12:35 AEDT, 24 March 2018 | UPDATED: 01:21 AEDT, 25 March 2018
Donald Trump has fulfilled his promise to ban transgender people from serving in the military.
The White House released a memo on Friday evening stating that transgender people are now 'disqualified from military service except under limited circumstances.'
The ban is due to take effect immediately despite multiple federal courts issuing rulings blocking Trump´s ban. The judges said the ban would likely violate the right under the U.S. Constitution to equal protection under the law.
President Donald Trump (pictured on Air Force One with first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron Trump at Palm Beach International Airport. He issued the order a short time later) issues order to ban transgender people from serving in the military except under 'limited circumstances'
However, a Pentagon spokesman said the Department of Defense will comply with the court orders and continue to allow transgender people to join and serve in the military, despite Trump's late night memo.
The announcement comes one month after Defense Secretary Jim Mattis reportedly urged Trump to allow transgender people to continue serving in the military.
Trump's memo does not reveal how the ban will be implemented, or what will happen to the hundreds of transgender servicemen and women already serving openly.
But the White House says retaining troops with a history or diagnosis of 'gender dysphoria' - those who may require substantial medical treatment - 'presents considerable risk to military effectiveness and lethality.'
Celebrities, Democrats and the LGBT community has been swift to denounce the move, calling it 'unpatriotic' and transphobic.
On Twitter, actor George Takei called the move the act of 'bullies and cowards', branding Trump a 'hyena presidency.'
The White House released a memo on Friday evening stating that transgender people are now 'disqualified from military service except under limited circumstances
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's Jonathan Van Ness added that he was glad that the national March for Our Lives protest was scheduled for tomorrow - as there would be another issue to raise.
James Corden branded it an 'outrage' while Mia Farrow called it 'utterly despicable. '
'Trump wants to hurt people tonight,' she added.
Nancy Pelosi said that no-one with the 'bravery to serve in the U.S. military should be turned away because of who they are.'
'This hateful ban is purpose-built to humiliate our brave transgender members of the military who serve with honor & dignity. #ProtectTransTroops.'
The American Civil Liberties Union, who challenged the ban in court after it was first announced last summer, criticized the policy in a series of tweets on Friday night.
'What the White House released tonight is transphobia masquerading as policy, for the sole purpose of carrying out President Trump's reckless and unconstitutional ban,' the civil rights organization tweeted.
'It undermines the ability of trans service members to serve openly and military readiness as a whole.'