Transgenders in the Military

Though I believe gender is an important part of our eternal identity, I do not believe the military should ban people who are transgender.

What got me thinking about this was something a federal judge said recently: President Trump's proposal to reinstate the pre-Obama ban on transgenders in the military is likely unconstitutional. However, I will not discuss the constitutionality of the ban, but will talk about other arguments that are relevant to President Trump’s and Congress’s decisions.

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A special religious document that my church has, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” gives me a few authoritative answers to questions I have had regarding gender and the family. Part of that document states that “gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.” I assume that means the gender we are born with, though I admit I don’t know exactly what that means for people who are born in medically unique situations.

It is conceivable that having an authoritative answer to a question could lead to not exploring the issue. For example, if my boss gives me a specific task to do and tells me just how to do it, I might not look into it since my boss hasn’t given me discretion or any incentive to think deeper about the task. God has already given some answers too, but these are based on eternal principles. So I think it is worthwhile to explore these eternal principles to improve myself and help answer questions that a lot of us have.

Reflecting on my personal experiences and the teachings of Jesus Christ, I believe that the primary concern with the transgender movement is that more people will doubt God’s purpose for them and turn away from core principles, rather than faithfully ask God for answers about their identity while following God’s plan for families.

I learn so much about love as I seek to be a good family man. I am learning to fulfill a father’s role of leading out in spiritual family routines, providing for my family, and protecting my family with love. I try to do this with respect for my wife as my equal, and she has lovingly helped me in all my roles/duties.

What is a main take-away of the purpose of gender being an essential characteristic? Love: God has lovingly given us opportunities to use our gender to lovingly and dutifully serve others. Gender provides some unique ways to help others.

Having laid that foundation, the question about military service is easier for me to think about. I don’t believe that keeping transgender people out of the military is likely to do more to promote a message of love and duty than it is to promote unkind discrimination. Therefore, I believe that the correct move for Congress or the President is to allow transgenders in the military. (To address a concern that gets a lot of publicity, but which I think is slightly overstated, I do think that if anybody feels insecure in their rooming situation, it would be appropriate to accommodate.)

When a commandment from God seems clear to me, I don’t do a cost-benefit analysis because I assume God knows best and so any cost of compliance must be outweighed by the benefits. But since God doesn’t command specific political things usually, I will look at some costs and benefits of this decision.

Benefits (and costs) of a ban could include the moral message that is sent. My views of morality are connected to God’s commandments, however I believe these morals could be acceptable to nonreligious people as well. The morals involved here are being a good father and husband myself and loving everybody. I don’t see a ban on transgenders as sending a message that strengthens families, so no benefit with the ban there. Also, many people would view the ban as a message of hate, which could in fact be the motive for some people who support the ban.

An obvious cost of the ban would be the military service that is lost. I believe that allowing them to serve will benefit our country and benefit the people serving. One’s gender identity is but one of many characteristics. Regardless of whether we agree with these difficult choices people have made, accepting a brave decision to serve with the military seems like the right answer to me.