Sexual orientation and gender identity in the United States military
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In the past most lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) personnel had major restrictions placed on them in terms of service in the United States military. As of 2010 sexual orientation and gender identity in the United States military varies greatly as the United States Armed Forces have become increasingly openly diverse in the regards of LGBTQ people and acceptance towards them.
In 2025, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that bans transgender individuals within the US Military. In May 2025, the policy went into effect banning transgender individuals from the military - by a supermajority vote 6-3 decision from the Supreme Court of the United States.
According to a 2015 report from the RAND Corporation, a survey of over 16,000 service members found that 6.1% of the respondents identified as being LGBT, with 4.2% of males and 16.6% of females making up this statistic. When sexual orientation and gender identity are separated, 5.8% were lesbian, gay or bisexual, and 0.6% were transgender (0.3% of transgender respondents also identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual).
In June 2024, US President Joe Biden signed a "pardon proclamation" - that formally effected thousands of military veterans with historical gay sex criminal records.