The Biden administration has come under fire for its military and foreign policy that promotes gender equity above national security. The Department of Defense argued in support of gender-affirming care for minors as young as seven years old who belong to military families in an article titled “Caring for Military-Affiliated Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youths: A Call for Protections.”
The piece claims that the only option for children who present gender dysphoria signs is to immediately move forward with gender-affirming care, arguing it is a “human right.” However, this approach poses significant mental and physical risks to the children and could negatively impact military readiness.
Nevertheless, the government publication claims that “youths have an inherent ability and right to consent to gender-affirming therapy.”
The article claimed: “New state laws directly harm transgender and gender-diverse adolescents by denying access to potentially life-saving medical care and further exacerbating health care inequities, health risk behaviors, and preventable deaths.”
JOHN KIRBY: "LGBTQ+ rights…are a core part of our foreign policy." pic.twitter.com/hNsVknCc5P
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 21, 2023
In another development, State Department Spokesperson John Kirby asserted that LGBTQ+ rights are a core component of U.S. foreign policy. This statement was made in response to a question about Russia potentially supporting anti-LGBTQ+ movements in Africa to undermine U.S. influence. Kirby reaffirmed the Biden administration’s commitment to human rights and LGBTQ+ rights, indicating they will continue to be central to the nation’s foreign policy.
These developments raise questions about the Biden administration’s priorities and whether the focus on gender equity and LGBTQ+ rights could potentially compromise national security interests. In addition, the U.S. embassies in the UAE and the U.K. faced backlash from locals when they chose to fly the “pride flag” to celebrate Pride Month, highlighting the cultural divide between the U.S. and Middle Eastern countries on gender and LGBTQ issues.
Regardless of particular views about gender equity, the issue should not be prioritized over national security interests. The Biden administration should first and foremost focus on protecting the lives and well-being of military personnel and their families and ensuring that national security is not compromised. Furthermore, the U.S. should respect the cultural differences of other countries and not force its values on them, as it risks damaging diplomatic relations.
