Contrary to the previous administration, President Biden (D) has placed a high premium on inclusiveness in the military, as his administration has just moved to make gender confirmation surgery available through Veteran Affairs, receiving praise from Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL), who called the surgery "lifesaving."
Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough announced the plans during a pride event in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, stating, "We are taking the first necessary steps to expand VA's care to include gender confirmation surgery," adding "thereby allowing transgender vets to go through the full gender confirmation process with VA at their side."
The change will make a dramatic shift in military diversity as Biden has already lifted the transgender military ban from 2017. The National Center for Transgender Equality estimates there are approximately 134,000 transgender veterans and counting.
Rep. Wasserman-Schultz who has been an outspoken ally of the LGBTQ+ community, and who also attended this year's Stonewall Pride Parade, tweeted about the new policy, citing a CNN article:
Gender confirmation surgery is lifesaving. Proud to see @SecVetAffairs McDonough standing up for trans vets this #Pride month!https://t.co/HDG4fJJjz6
— Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@RepDWStweets) June 19, 2021
Schultz called the surgery "lifesaving" and was "Proud to see [Secretary McDonough standing up for trans vets this Pride month."
The new policy is only one of many reversals of the Trump-era military, which has gained immense criticism, especially on newly implemented diversity training by the Department of Defense. The Biden policies have been called out by active-duty military members accusing the propaganda of being "Marxist," in nature.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has a list of surgical options for those seeking to augment their bodies:
Facial Feminization Surgery
The goal of facial feminization surgery is to transform the masculine features of the face to a more feminine appearance.
Transfeminine Top Surgery
The goal of transfeminine top surgery is to enhance the size and shape of the breasts to create a more feminine appearance to the chest.
Transfeminine Bottom Surgery
The goal of transfeminine bottom surgery is to transform the male genitalia and reconstruct it into that of a female.
Facial Masculinization Surgery
The goal of facial masculinization surgery is to transform the feminine features of the face to a more masculine appearance.
Transmasculine Top Surgery
The goal of transmasculine top surgery is to remove the breast tissue (mastectomy) from both breasts and create a masculine appearance to the chest.
Transmasculine Bottom Surgery
The goal of transmasculine bottom surgery is to transform the female genitalia and reconstruct it into that of a male.
