The U.S. Selective Service revealed recently that transgender women must still register for the military draft.
“Who Must Register: With only a few exceptions, the registration requirement applies to all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants residing in the United States who are 18 through 25 years of age,” the Selective Service said on its official website.
“US citizens or immigrants who are born male and changed their gender to female are still required to register,” it added.
However, those individuals who identify as male but were born female do not need to register for the military draft, the Biden administration said.
Parents, if your son is an only son and the last male in your family to carry the family name, he is still required to register with SSS. Learn more about who needs to register at https://t.co/GYbRK99c09. pic.twitter.com/tzW6uKkyl5
— Selective Service (@SSS_gov) October 7, 2022
This became a controversy after netizens noticed this following the announcement of the Selective Service on Twitter, reminding the parents that their sons must register.
“Parents, if your son is an only son and the last male in your family to carry the family name, he is still required to register with SSS. Learn more about who needs to register,” the Selective Service tweeted.
Following the declaration, Selective Service System spokesperson Micheal Migliara released a statement during an interview with Fox News Digital later Tuesday, stating that Congress would have to make changes that would authorize women to register with the agency.
“The Military Selective Service Act authorizes the registration of ‘male persons’, ages, 18-25. In order for the Selective Service to be authorized to register women, Congress would have to pass legislation amending the current law. While there is currently no draft, registration with the Selective Service System is the most publicly visible program during peacetime and ensures operational readiness in a fair and equitable manner. If authorized by the President and Congress, our Agency would rapidly provide personnel to the Department of Defense, while at the same time providing an Alternative Service Program for Conscientious Objectors.” Migliara said.
The recent controversy comes as the Biden administration continued to support the LGBTQI+ rights amid discriminatory practices and policies against them.
“To everyone celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility, I want you to know that your president sees you. Jill, Kamala, Doug, our entire administration sees you for who you are, made in the image of God and deserving of dignity, respect, and support.” President Biden said last April.
In the same month, the White House also released a statement on advancing the community’s rights.
“Today, the U.S. Government released a first of its kind progress report on implementation of President Biden’s Memorandum on Advancing the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons Around the World. The progress demonstrates the U.S. commitment to promoting and protecting the human rights of LGBTQI+ people around the world through our diplomacy and foreign assistance,” the White House said in a statement.
