(Metro) The Trump administration’s new policy on transgender people serving in the military goes into effect today.
It forces service members to identify as their biological sex.
Under the Obama administration, transgender troops were allowed to serve in their preferred gender identity.
Those who were already using their preferred gender before today will be exempt from the new guidelines.
The Defense Department insists the new policy isn’t a “ban” and that all people who serve will continue to be treated with dignity and respect.
For it’s part, the Navy says transgender sailors will be allowed to identity as their preferred gender when they’re off duty.