WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- A new directive has made it so transgender people in the Army can only be discharged by the assistant secretary of the Army for personnel, which is a senior position. Transgender soldiers could previously be discharged by a commander.
The newly discovered directive, obtained by USA Today, does not get rid of the rule that allows transgender soldiers to be discharged for their gender identity, but it does make it harder for them to be discharged.
"This is a welcome step toward inclusive policy, but transgender troops must still serve in silence until more is done to dismantle the ban," said Aaron Belkin, director of the Palm Center, told USA Today.
President Barack Obama lifted the "don't ask, don't tell" ban in 2011, which allowed soldiers to be kicked out for being gay, but the change did not include transgender soldiers.
The new Army directive comes days after it was announced jailed Army soldier Chelsea Manning, who is transgender, has been approved for hormone therapy.
