LGBT group defends general after transgender comments

A leading LGBT military group is coming to the defense of the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff after he made controversial comments about transgender troops.

“Gen. [Paul] Selva has been one of the most pragmatic members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on issues related to the LGBT community in the military and on policies related to accessions of transgender service members,” OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Matt Thorn said in a statement on Wednesday. “Discussing the issue of transgender service can be complex for even the most dedicated advocates and allies. We do not consider anything in Gen. Selva’s commentary to be disqualifying.”

At issue are comments Selva made Tuesday, during his confirmation hearing to be reappointed Joint Chiefs vice chairman for another two-year term.

{mosads}Selva was asked by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) about the Pentagon’s recent decision to delay allowing transgender recruits to enlist.

Transgender recruits were supposed to be able to enlist starting at the beginning of this month. But the night before the change was to go into effect, Defense Secretary James Mattis issued a six-month delay to further study the issue.

Selva said the delay was largely due to a “disagreement on the science” of treating transgender people.

“I am an advocate of every qualified person who can meet the physical standards to serve in our uniformed services to be able to do so,” Selva told the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Our decision to delay the accessions of transgender individuals into the services was largely based on a disagreement on the science of how mental healthcare and hormone therapy for transgender individuals would help solve the medical issues that are associated with gender dysphoria.”

The comments were almost immediately slammed by the Palm Center, which researches issues of gender and sexuality in the military.

In a statement Tuesday, Palm Center Director Aaron Belkin accused the Joint Chiefs of recycling discredited arguments from the debate about the old law banning gays and lesbians from military service.

“There is no scientific dispute,” Belkin added. “Rather, there is a global medical consensus, including the American Medical Association and the Rand Corporation, that transition-related care is reliable, safe and effective.”

In his Wednesday statement, Thorn said OutServe-SLDN “unequivocally” supports Selva’s reappointment.

“We unequivocally support Gen. Selva’s confirmation for another term as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,” he said, “and we believe that once confirmed he will remain a steady voice of reason as the Pentagon moves towards full implementation of the transgender accessions policy.”

SPARTA, another LGBT military group, likewise said it supports Selva, issuing a similar statement to Thorn’s.

“Gen. Selva has been a steadfast ally on issues related to the LGBT community in the military and on policies related to accessions of transgender service members,” SPARTA said. “SPARTA does not consider these statements to be an indication of lack of support for transgender service members. We absolutely support Gen. Selva’s confirmation for another term as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”

Updated at 2:32 p.m.