US Navy Announces Policy Change for Sailors With Gender Dysphoria

The Department of Defense had earlier made a ruling on separating servicemembers affected by gender dysphoria.

Officer candidates take the oath of office during a commissioning ceremony following graduation from Officer Candidate School at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island. Gregg Kohlweiss/U.S. Navy

The Department of the Navy on March 13 announced voluntary separation for sailors with a current diagnosis or history of gender dysphoria, as it will only recognize the male and female sexes, “with gender being immutable.”

The update affects military service eligibility, and sailors “impacted by these changes may request voluntary separation,” the department said in a statement. The department stated that it would not make active efforts to identify individuals with gender dysphoria.