Should Transgenderism Be a Concern Of National Policy?

Transgender people (those born physically with the anatomical characteristics of one sex but who identify with the other sex) are a miniscule portion of the general population – well under one percent according to surveys.

Despite their relatively small numbers, the apparent plight of transgenders has recently been the focus of the left and their media echo chamber.

First was North Carolina’s legislation – having the distinct mark of common sense – which formally mandated what was previously a given, not seen as requiring legislative action.  Restrooms dedicated to one sex or the other were to be used exclusively by members of that particular sex (the exception, again common sense driven, of a very young child accompanied by an adult).  The outrage was deafening. 

And there was President Trump’s reversal of government policy which permitted proclaimed transgenders to serve in the military.  The outcry focused on the loss of purported rights for those of transgender inclinations.  But that’s nonsense.  There’s no right to serve in the military.  The purpose of defense is best served by recruiting and retaining personnel who carry out their missions in an efficient and as effective manner as possible.

In the White House statement, announcing the policy change, mention was made of concerns of “unit cohesion”.  That concept is vital to the performance of any group, particularly military forces where loyalty, commitment to fellow unit members, are essential to a successful mission.  That justification was ignored by critics

The possibility of destabilizing sexual tension (long recognized as an impediment of integrating women into combat roles, for instance) involved with the presence of transgender personnel cannot simply be ignored.  If such soldiers are not a detriment as shown by studies and research, fine.  But what if they are?  “Transgender rights” are not involved.  Efficiency and effectiveness of the military is the correct standard.

Realistically, the number of transgender personnel is likely so small that the answer won’t make much of a difference to the military broadly speaking, anyway.

The left has never been good about common sense and perspective.  Ideological blindness can do harm.