UPDATED AS OF MAY 24, 2023

The United States Navy values diversity and recognizes that through inclusion we are a better military and stronger nation for it. This means that, like all other qualified citizens, Sailors who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or transgender shall be evaluated based on individual merit, fitness, and performance. It is the policy of the Department of Defense to treat all Service members in a professional and neutral manner.

Regarding transgender service members, the Department of Defense updated DoD INSTRUCTION 1300.28 on December 20, 2022, detailing guidelines around policy, responsibilities, and procedures regarding the standards for military service accession, retention, separation, in-service transition, and medical care for Service members who are transgender or who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, as applicable.

LGBTQI+ Policy and Guidance

• Executive Order on Advancing Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Individuals
• DoD Instruction 6130.03, Volume 1 (Medical Standards for Military Service: Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction)
• DoD Instruction 1300.28 (In-Service Transition for Transgender Service Members)
• SECNAVINST 1000.11 - Service of Transgender Sailors and Marines 
• ALNAV 031/21 - Military Service by Transgender Person and Persons with Gender Dysphoria Interim Guidance
• NAVADMIN 112/21 - Interim Guidance for Service of Transgender Navy Personnel
• MILPERSMAN 1000-131 - Member Gender Marker Change
• Transgender Clinical Care Resources
• Personnel Support Professional Training - Same-Sex Marriage
• NAVADMIN 218/13 GUIDANCE ON BENEFITS FOR SAME-SEX SPOUSES 

Historical Information

• ​DoD LGBTQI+ Timeline
• Naval Service of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Personnel​: A Historical Policy Overview