Transgender personnel serving in the U.S. Air Force and Space Force are being encouraged to voluntarily leave the military by March 26th. The Pentagon argues that gender dysphoria is "at odds with the demanding mental and physical requirements of military service." This directive is part of a memorandum filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in relation to the Talbott v. Trump case, a legal challenge to former President Trump's executive order restricting transgender individuals from serving in the military. The memorandum, signed by Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Gwendolyn R. DeFilippi, indicates that eligible service members who opt for voluntary separation will receive double the standard involuntary separation pay.
While cross-sex hormone treatments will reportedly continue for those diagnosed with gender dysphoria before a separate recent memo, until their separation is finalized under the guidance of a Department of Defense medical provider, these personnel are expected to adhere to the conduct standards of their biological sex, including bathroom and living quarter usage, and dress codes, effective immediately. This is in line with a recent Pentagon memo stipulating that service members with gender dysphoria are generally barred from service unless they secure a specific exemption.
GLAD Law attorney Jennifer Levi criticized the Air Force memo, calling it a "purge" of dedicated service members and highlighting the disruption caused by the administration's policies. The Trump administration's transgender military ban remains under legal scrutiny, with the Justice Department having previously filed a complaint against the presiding judge, Ana Reyes, alleging potential bias. Several lawsuits directly contesting Trump's executive orders on gender are ongoing.
Both the Department of Defense and the White House have been contacted for comment.
