Transgender and Selective Service? Will someone like Jazz Jennings have to sign up for selective service at 18?

Question

I am a fan of Jazz Jennings! She is a brave young lady who advocate for LGBT and people with differences:) She is a transgender woman:) genitals don't define who she is plus now in days the younger generation can get hormone treatment to develop almost exact as their gender they identify and never develope into the gender they don't want. Will Jazz or transgender girls or even transgender boys and men at 18 will have to sign up for selective service?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

"Transgender and Selective Service?  Will someone like Jazz Jennings have to sign up for selective service at 18?"

Well this is something that's in a great deal of flux right now.

1. In the past I would have said "Yes", but also explained that the U.S. military considers transsexual people unfit for military duty.

2. However, the Dept of Defense is in the process of updating it's policies and is expected to drop the ban on transgender people serving openly.  This could happen anytime in the next 6 months.

3.  At the same time Congress is in the process of expanding Selective Service to include women.

So, taking all of that into account, YES, she will have to register, but so will EVERYBODY turning 18.

EDIT: And don't forget trans men.  For years trans men who transitioned before age 18 were being advised to sign up with Selective Service.  This article explains why:

http://ftmguide.org/selectiveservice.html

In short, to prevent being denied various federal benefits, grants etc, it's best to just sign up and avoid any possible later hassle.
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Transgender and Selective Service? Will someone like Jazz Jennings have to sign up for selective service at 18?

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