Bathroom bill, military ban raising more concerns for transgender people

Trump bans transgender people from serving in military

SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio counselor who works with transgender clients said he is worried after President Donald Trump decided to ban all transgender people from the military.

Trump tweeted Wednesday morning that transgender people will no longer be able to serve in the military.

Adrian Warren said while none of his clients are active military, the president's tweet, just like the push in Texas for the proposed bathroom bill, is going to raise anxiety about where things are going in the country as far as transgender rights and safety.

RELATED: No transgender people in U.S. military, Trump says

"Now that this has popped up at the national level, there is more concern that this is no longer just a Texas thing," Warren said. "This anti-trans sentiment is becoming a national thing."

Warren, who did serve in the Army, said while he does not believe that transgender individuals will hurt the military's combat capability. He also said he can see the argument from a business standpoint about the "medical costs," the president cited.

Still, he said he believes a complete ban is not the answer.

READ MORE: McCain criticizes 'unclear' Trump policy on transgender military ban

"I think we need to be able to come to some kind of compromise of acknowledging and respecting individual rights," he said. "But we also have to bear in mind: What is the mission? What is the current purpose of the military and where can we find a middle ground between those two?"

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About the Author:

Stephanie Serna is a weekday anchor on Good Morning San Antonio and GMSA at 9 a.m. She joined the KSAT 12 News team in November 2009 as a general assignments reporter.