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'I feel betrayed,' Central Florida reacts to Trump's transgender military ban

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Groups, organizations and lawmakers are reacting to President Donald Trump’s decision to bar transgender people from serving in the U.S. military. The president announced the new rules Wednesday morning on Twitter.

A transgendered veteran told Channel 9's Lauren Seabrook that she thinks Trumps harsh words will drive people back into the shadows.

"Being treated as a man just made me crazy and I couldn't tell anybody. I couldn't reveal myself," said Thalia Ainsley.

Ainsley signed up to serve Vietnam in 1968 when he was a man named Michael. Ainsley said she is disgusted by Trump's decision.

"I feel betrayed. I feel that he's betrayed all those people over there that are serving," Ainsley said. "They're fighting for us in the service. We need to fight for them."

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Equality Florida’s Director of Transgender Equality Gina Duncan said in a statement:

"On Wednesday, President Trump said he would ban transgender people from military service. It is alarming, unacceptable, and dangerous for the President of the United States to openly discriminate against transgender servicemembers stationed around the world who willingly serve their country. By "tweeting" that transgender people will not be allowed to serve "in any capacity" in the US Military, this President is attacking thousands of brave and honorable transgender servicemembers and veterans and sending a message to all transgender people that they are unfit to serve our country simply because of who they are. 

"Furthermore, it is especially heinous that this harmful position is being communicated via a tweet. Currently, there are over 15,000 openly transgender people proudly serving in our military. This morning, those 15,000 patriotic transgender people woke up to learn that their Commander-in-Chief called them a "burden" and a "disruption" via a string of tweets. Countless trans people have bravely fought and died for our country, while Trump received five deferments from the Vietnam war draft. The contrast could not be more striking. 

"To transgender servicemembers and veterans, we stand with you. You have demonstrated a greater love, commitment, and sacrifice for this country than our current President ever has. He is wrong, again. We must stand together to prevent the clock from being turned back by ignorance and bigotry."

Equality Florida also said it’s “crystal clear that the Trump Administration is testing the boundaries on how far they can go to target, erase, and undermine LGBTQ equality.”

The GLBT Center of Central Florida said in a statement:

"The Center is heartbroken over a tweet sent this morning banning transgender individuals from serving in the military.

"Our transgender brothers and sisters are more than capable of handling the duties to which they signed up for. To our 15,000 transgender brothers and sisters currently serving in the military and to those who had/have aspirations to serve and protect us and our country...The Center stands with you, supports you, and you matter!!

"The fight continues and The Center will work with its partner organizations to see what we can do to help correct this injustice. Keep the faith, you have many people fighting for you, as you have dedicated yourselves to fight for us!

Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen blasted Trump's decision.

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz supported Trump's decision.