WASHINGTON — Following is a statement by Rosie Phillips Davis, PhD, president of the American Psychological Association, regarding the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to allow the administration to restrict military service by transgender men and women while court challenges continue:
“The American Psychological Association is dismayed that the Supreme Court agreed to allow the administration to bar transgender people from joining the military. Transgender people are currently serving in uniform with no adverse impact on military readiness or unit cohesion, and there is no research to the contrary. What research does show is that discrimination and stigma undermine morale and readiness by creating a significant source of stress for sexual and gender minorities that can harm their health and well-being.
“In addition, there is substantial psychological research showing that gender dysphoria is a treatable condition, and does not, by itself, limit the ability of individuals to function well and excel in their work, including in military service.”
APA’s governing Council of Representatives adopted a resolution in 2008 supporting full equality for transgender and gender-variant people and calling for legal and social recognition of transgender individuals.
The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes nearly 115,700 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.