While all eyes were on the release of the Mueller report, the five service academies declared their intent to deny admissionto transgender individuals unless they complied with particular requirements.
Starting this fall, as outlined on the Coast Guard’s website, transgender individuals who wish to enroll must “demonstrate that he/she has not transitioned to his/her preferred gender and …[t]he applicant is willing and able to adhere to all applicable standards…associated with the applicant’s biological sex.”
Despite their being publicly funded by American taxpayers, the five service academies have a long history of discrimination against people of color, women and LGBTQ individuals. For example, the Coast Guard, established in 1876, did not admit its first black student until1962. West Point, established in 1802, admitted its first black student in 1870. The U.S. Naval Academy, established in 1845, admitted its first black student in1872.
Women were not admitted until 1976 to the U.S. Naval Academy, West Point, Air Force Academy and the Coast Guard. They were admitted two years prior, in 1974, to the Merchant Marine Academy.
LGBTQ individuals were not admitted into the military or service academies until 1994, when the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy was implemented. As long as service members or students did not disclose their orientation, they could serve. That policy was repealed September 20, 2011, allowing LGBTQ individuals to serve openly.
On April 12 of this year, the military backtracked, disallowing transgender individuals to join the military unless they accepted their gender at birth and agreed not to transition. In response, the five service academies have now implemented policies to deny admission to transgender students, not because they lack merit, but because of their gender identity. This discriminatory policy has had a rippling effect for ROTC students in colleges and universities all over the United States, causing some to lose their scholarships.
This targeting of one group shamelessly echoes this country’s long history of discrimination against certain groups, denies transgender individuals an opportunity for a career and education of their choice. It also denies our military and the service academies talented, committed individuals willing to serve their country. It deprives all of us the unique perspectives and contributions of one class of people.
History has shown us the deleterious affects of discrimination. One day, future generations will look at this administration and all those who are complicit in its practices as cruel, inhumane and unwise. The silence about this policy is deafening. Where is the outcry?