New Delhi: Defence Secretary Ashton B.Carter in a landmark decision lifted its ban on transgender individuals serving openly in the US military. The removal of one of the last barriers to army service based on sex came ahead of the changing role of women and the inclusion of bisexuals and gay service members in the recent years. 

 

According to the Associated Press, Carter said that the transgender society can no longer be discriminated against for being who they are. "They no longer can be discharged or otherwise separated from the military for just being transgender."

 

The community will receive the same medical coverage as any other military member and will receive all the medical help that the doctors consider necessary.

 

Despite facing resistance from some, the change has been put to effect immediately and aims to ensure that the US military continues to retain and recruit the most qualified people. Carter said, "Our military, and the nation it defends, will be stronger."

The groundwork to implement this historic move had begun last year itself when a 2015 July press release called the transgender ban 'outdated'. The US has now joined 18 other countries that allow transgender troops to serve openly without negative consequences.

 

The lifting of the ban will have an impact beyond the transgender individuals and will send a strong message to the rest of the world that right to equality should mean access to the same opportunities regardless of sex.