To the Point
Will the US Military Lift Its Transgender Ban?
The Pentagon has long prohibited discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex or age. This week, the same protections have been extended to gays and lesbians — but transgender people are subject to discharge. We hear what it's like to serve when your identity is in question.
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenThe Pentagon has long prohibited discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex or age. This week, the same protections have been extended to gays and lesbians — but transgender people are subject to discharge. We hear what it's like to serve when your identity is in question.
Also, the House rejects a trade bill in a huge defeat for President Obama. On today's Talking Point, the GOP is struggling to weed out a crowd of presidential candidates. Now the party's Straw Poll has come to an end in Iowa — and Republicans in New Hampshire don't want Fox News using Gallup to decide who gets to participate in the first debate.
Photo: Defense Secretary Ash Carter delivers the keynote address during the Defense Department's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month ceremony at the Pentagon, June 8, 2015.
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3 storiesHouse Rejects Trade Bill in Huge Defeat for Obama
President Obama has just suffered a stinging defeat today from his own party -- even after he went to Capitol Hill to lobby Democrats on behalf of free trade authority in the Pacific. Reid Wilson is chief political correspondent for Morning Consult , a political newsletter.
Read the story7 minThe Armed Forces and Gender Identity
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed four years ago. This Tuesday, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter extended the full range of discrimination protections to gays and lesbians . It's been a long time coming. But some 15,000 transgender troops are not included, often despite years of distinguished service — including combat.
Read the story33 minThe Death of the Iowa Straw Poll
As next year's presidential campaign begins to get serious, the Democrats are looking for competition to Hillary Clinton, while the Republicans have too many candidates to fit on the same stage. The latest obstacle to winnowing the Republican presidential field is cancellation of the Iowa Straw Poll.
Read the story10 min
