House Set to Vote on Defense Policy Bill That Bans Gender

The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023, which includes an amendment that would prohibit the use of the terms "gender" and "gender identity" in official military documents.

Background

The amendment, introduced by Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), is based on concerns that the use of these terms is divisive and could undermine military readiness. Proponents of the amendment argue that the military should focus on traditional gender roles and that the use of gender-neutral language could lead to confusion and conflict.

Opponents of the amendment argue that it is discriminatory and would harm transgender service members. They point out that transgender people have served in the military for decades without any problems and that the amendment would send a message that they are not welcome.

Different Perspectives

The debate over the amendment has divided members of Congress and the military community. Some argue that the military is not the right place to be discussing gender identity, while others believe that it is important to create an inclusive environment for all service members.

A recent survey by the Pentagon found that a majority of service members support the use of gender-neutral language in official documents. However, a significant minority of service members oppose the use of such language.

Data and Evidence

There is no clear evidence to support the claim that the use of gender-neutral language in official military documents would undermine military readiness. In fact, a 2016 study by the RAND Corporation found that there is no correlation between the use of gender-neutral language and military effectiveness.

There is also no evidence to support the claim that transgender service members are more likely to be disruptive or less effective than their cisgender counterparts. In fact, a 2019 study by the Palm Center found that transgender service members are just as likely to be successful in their military careers as their cisgender counterparts.

Conclusion

The debate over the use of gender-neutral language in the military is a complex one with no easy answers. There are valid arguments to be made on both sides of the issue. However, the evidence suggests that the use of gender-neutral language is not harmful to military readiness or transgender service members.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to include gender-neutral language in official military documents is a political one. The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the amendment on December 8, 2022.