However, a 2020 study found that only up to 8,000 transgender people served on active duty in the U.S. military. That's out of 1.3 million that were estimated to serve globally that year, or less than 1 percent. The actual number could be far higher as many service members may not disclose their transgender identity due to social stigma.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled in favor of transgender active-duty service members and transgender people in the process of enlisting.