Military veterans and civil rights groups react to Biden’s repeal of Trump’s transgender ban

Civil rights organizations and veterans groups have applauded Joe Biden’s repeal of Donald Trump’s ban on transgender Americans serving in the US military, a measure that could impact an estimated 15,000 service members, according to the National Center for Transgender Equality.

Patricia King, the first openly transgender infantry soldier in the US, said in a statement that “the transgender community has been told once again that we can serve the nation we love, we can be heroes, and that we belong everywhere that life is lived. ”

“We have been shown once again that unique perspectives combined with shared ideals make us stronger,” she said. “Let this be a line in the sand. Let us as a people never be pushed backwards again.”

In an order signed on Monday, the president revoked his predecessor’s 2017 memorandum, initially announced on Mr Trump’s Twitter account, blindsiding military officials by overturning a policy under Barack Obama’s administration.