British Military Arm to Ban Skirts in Deference to Transgender Recruits

Britain’s Royal Air Force has banned its serving females from wearing skirts on parade — a move meant to show the RAF is a “modern and inclusive employer” when it comes to transgender and gender-fluid recruits.

The RAF look set to ban servicewomen wearing skirts [Photo: Getty]
The RAF may no longer allow servicewomen to march in skirts. (Photo: Getty)

“We have men who want to live as women, women who want to live as men, and personnel who do not identify with any gender,” an RAF source told the Sun. “The view was we need a uniform policy to cut through all of that and say there is one uniform for everyone and that’s that.”

Carole Vorderman will no longer be able to wear her RAF skirt for marching [Photo: Getty]
Carole Vorderman will no longer be able to wear her RAF skirt for marching. (Photo: Getty)

But the move hasn’t gone down well with some of the women currently serving in the RAF.

“We’ve all been told woman can no longer wear skirts on parade,” explained one woman serving insider. “Everyone’s livid. We’ve been wearing skirts since World War II. It feels like political correctness. The world’s going mad.”

It has been reported that the change also follows feedback from women that marching in skirts is uncomfortable. And servicewomen are still permitted to wear skirts on other occasions, just not while marching.

The change was reportedly discussed at a summit of RAF chiefs who deal with issues such as diversity and inclusion.

No skirts allowed! [Photo: Getty]
No skirts allowed! (Photo: Getty)

Insiders say the decision has been made but that it has not yet been put into action. “Uniform regulations, including dress for formal parades, are regularly reviewed,” a spokesperson has said. “No decisions have been made to make any changes.”

The Telegraph notes that it wasn’t until 16 years ago that female recruits were even allowed to wear pants on parade, “in an overhaul of uniform requirements designed to end complaints about ill-fitting, poor-quality outfits.”

What do you think about the RAF’s proposed skirt ban? Let us know @YahooStyle.

Related:

French Vogue Features Transgender Model on March Cover

Law Student Denied Entry to Campus Because Her Skirt Was ‘Not Long Enough’

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