The Trans-Fusion Foundation wants to repeal a regulation preventing transsexuals from joining the armed forces in Poland.

The Defence Ministry is reportedly considering the demand.

At present, a transsexual who wants to join the army, navy or air force is rejected as ‘category E’, which is a status marking them unfit to serve.  This applies to both those who have had a sex change operation and those who have not but reject the gender they were born into.

“This regulation is discriminatory,” Trans-Fusion’s Anna Grodzka told the TVP public broadcaster.

The foundation has joined forces with the Campaign Against Homophobia in calling for Defence Minister Bogdan Klich to repeal the ban.

“I have known cases of transsexuals who serve in the police force. Some changed their sex before joining, others during service,” Grodzka says, pointing to inconsistencies in Poland‘s attitude to employing transsexuals.

But there is some hope for transsexuals who want to fight for their country. Agnieszka Gumińska at the Ministry of Defence said that, “It is not impossible that the regulation may be amended. Especially now, after the recent passage of the EU Equal Treatment Directive [in Poland],” she said.

Poland was criticised by European Commission last year for "incorrectly implementing EU rules [dating back to 2004] demanding the prohibition of discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation in employment and occupation".

Changing attitudes

If Poland does allow transsexuals into the armed forces it will be in keeping with recent moves by the nation’s NATO allies.

Late last year, the Canadian Ministry of Defence issued a directive allowing military transsexuals to dress according to gender identity, regardless of whether they had undergone surgery.

Spain changed its regulations in 2009 after the high-profile case of someone known only as ‘Aitor G R’ - born a woman who had a mastectomy - who was refused entry to the military because he did not have a penis.

In the United States, President Barack Obama signed a bill last year abolishing the “Don‘t ask, don’t tell” policy of gays and lesbians being able to serve in the armed forces but only if they were not openly homosexual. (pg)