Army backs sex-change soldiers (BBC)

UK

Army backs sex-change soldiers

Transsexual soldiers will be allowed to serve in the armed forces under new guidelines drawn up by defence officials, the Ministry of Defence has announced.

The MoD’s move came after a sergeant major announced he intended to have a sex change operation.  The policy also means army chiefs will have to consider transsexual recruits.

Sergeant Major Joe Rushton, 38, who has served in Northern Ireland and Bosnia with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, has been married four times and has a son.

New guidelines for commanders

He developed breasts after a year’s hormone replacement therapy and now refers to himself as Joanne.  The Army has given him a desk job at its personnel headquarters while he undergoes gender realignment.

Sex-change soldiers’ roles may be restricted

The revised guidelines have been issued to commanding officers in the Army, the RAF and the Royal Navy and will stress that every transsexual should receive similar treatment.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said there was no change in policy but the guidelines were being redrafted to clarify the forces’ position.

The document will advise commanders on providing sex-change soldiers with appropriate accommodation, shower facilities and uniform.

“The Army treats transsexuality the same as any other long-term medical condition,” he said.  “But each case will be considered individually.”

No change on gays ban

Christine Burns, vice-president of transsexual rights group Press for Change, welcomed the move.  “Sergeant Major Ruston is perfectly capable of performing the same duties,” she said.

But the MoD said transsexuals’ duties would be limited by existing guidance on where male and female personnel can operate.  For example, women in the army cannot serve in the armoured corps or the infantry.

Yet the decision will not affect the armed forces’ stance on homosexuality.

“There is a clear difference between homosexuality and transsexuality.  Transsexuality is a gender, issue not one of sexuality,” said the MoD spokesman.

A spokesman for gay and lesbian pressure group Stonewall said the decision seemed ’bizarre’.  “It seems illogical that transsexuals can be let in the Army but gays and lesbians cannot,” he commented.

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