Donald Trump is to ban transgender people from serving in the US military.
In a series of tweets, he says he made the decision after consulting with generals and military experts.
Mr Trump says transgender people won't be able to serve "in any capacity", because victory cannot be burdened with "tremendous medical costs".
After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
....Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
....victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
It was announced last year the Pentagon would provide sex-change operations to some transgender service members - if a military doctor found it was necessary.
The treatment could include behavioural health care, hormone therapy, and in some cases gender reassignment surgery.
Service members must be diagnosed as stable in their preferred gender for 18 months before they can receive treatment.
so, biggest baddest most $$ military on earth cries about a few trans people 😩 but funds the F-35? 😑 sounds like cowardice 😎💕🌈 #WeGotThis
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
Just because @realDonaldTrump was too chicken shit to go into the military doesn't mean he should ban anyone who chooses to serve country.
— MOURNING IN AMERICA (@doodlebug0) July 26, 2017
George Takei offers blistering takedown of Trump's trans military ban https://t.co/uvx3HzDvFp via @huffpostqueer
— Karen (@kyungkarenmend1) July 26, 2017
