WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced Tuesday that gay and lesbian troops for the first time will be protected from discrimination by the Pentagon's equal opportunity policy.
Carter announced the change at the Pentagon's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride event. He was the first Defense secretary to address the group's annual meeting.
The change ensures that gay and lesbian troops' complaints about discrimination based on sexual orientation will be investigated by military officials.
"Discrimination of any kind has no place in America's armed forces," Carter said.
The Pentagon rescinded its Don't Ask Don't Tell policy in 2011. Under it, gay and lesbian troops could be kicked out of service if their sexual orientation became known.
The military still can kick out transgender troops. Although the Army and the Air Force this year have made that process more difficult by requiring senior civilian officials to approve the discharges.
Carter called diversity critical to developing the troops the Pentagon will need for future battles. Excluding qualified troops, he said, is "bad defense policy."
Carter spoke before a standing-room only crowd of troops from each service, from enlisted personnel to four-star officers and top civilian officials.
Amanda Simpson, the highest-ranking transgender official at the Pentagon, told the audience she has her Army post not because of her gender but "because I happen to be the best person to do the job."
