LGB service by country. In the past most lesbian , gay , bisexual , transgender , and queer LGBTQ personnel had major restrictions placed on them in terms of service in the United States military. As of [update] sexual orientation and gender identity in the United States military varies greatly as the United States Armed Forces have become increasingly openly diverse in the regards of LGBTQ [ a ] people and acceptance towards them.
According to a report from the RAND Corporation , a survey of over 16, service members found that 6. In June , US President Joe Biden signed a "pardon proclamation" - that formally effected thousands of military veterans with historical gay sex criminal records. Until , military policy strictly forbid non-heterosexuals from serving in the military. From , the military used its " Don't ask, don't tell " policy, which only restricted non-heterosexuals from serving if they were open about their sexual orientation.
The "Don't ask, don't tell" policy was repealed in September , allowing homosexuals and bisexuals to serve openly in the armed forces. Windsor that the military must offer similar benefits to these relationships as they do to heterosexual ones.
From the creation of the United States military to , there was no ban on transgender people from serving or enlisting the United States military. From to June 30, , there was a blanket ban on all transgender people from serving and enlisting in the United States military; this ended on January 1, , when transgender individuals in the United States military were allowed to serve in their identified or assigned gender upon completing transition. From January 1, , to April 11, , transgender individuals could enlist in the United States military under the condition of being stable for 18 months in their identified or assigned gender.
Under the version of DoD Instruction, This Memorandum, originally scheduled to expire on March 12, , was extended until September 12, On January 25, , U. President Joe Biden issued an executive order to revoke the bans on transgender individuals. Despite not requiring the U. Department of Homeland Security and U. Department of Defense to immediately issue orders completely lifting the transgender bans, such orders were required after both the U.
