Joe Manchin joins Senate GOP to strip health care from transgender military

[Lori Dee]

Joe Manchin joins Senate GOP to strip health care from transgender military members & their families
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The Advocate - CHRISTOPHER WIGGINS
JULY 12 2024 12:10 PM EST

In a distressing turn for LGBTQ+ rights, Sen. Joe Manchin of ruby-red West Virginia, who recently became an independent after leaving the Democratic Party, has joined Senate Republicans in supporting amendments to the annual must-pass defense policy bill. These amendments, which restrict gender-affirming care for transgender military personnel and their families, have sparked outrage.

During closed-door sessions last month, the Senate Armed Services Committee added amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act. These amendments ban the use of Department of Defense funds for "sex change surgeries" and prevent the military health system from offering hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and other treatments for transgender minors. The amendments to the NDAA passed narrowly, 13-12, with Manchin's support proving decisive.

Manchin's vote aligns with his past actions concerning LGBTQ+ rights. His low score from the Human Rights Campaign reflects a history of lukewarm and sometimes opposing stances on critical LGBTQ+ issues. ... His vote to restrict essential healthcare for transgender service members and their families continues that pattern.

Ian Thompson of the American Civil Liberties Union described the amendments as "a dangerous affront to the rights and freedom of transgender service members with no financial, legal, political, or medical justification."

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