LGBTQ supporters and activists responded to President Trump's tweets about transgender people serving in the military Wednesday, saying they feel targeted by his proposed ban.
President Trump indicated in his tweets that the ban would be a cost-saving measure, but several activists called the proposed ban unfair and hurtful.
After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
....Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2017
The National Center for Transgender Equality estimates more than 15,000 transgender people currently serve in the U.S. military.
One transgender woman from Northeast Wisconsin told NBC26 the president's tweets were painful to read.
"I think it's sad that in 2017 any group of people in the United States of America has to fight to be seen as equal to anyone else," said Christine Decker.
Several counties and cities in Wisconsin, including Appleton, protect the employment rights of transgender people. However, the state does not have discrimination laws based on gender identity.
Some say that's why local lawmakers need to step up.
"They're introducing a bill that would provide protections for transgender individuals within the work place and accommodations and we need to see more bills like that," said Kathy Flores of Diverse and Resilient.
Transgender people were previously banned from serving openly in the military until the Obama administration overturned it in 2016.
