Construction worker defaces transgender message painted on Jacksonville building

A construction worker was reprimanded after he defaced a message about transgendered people at a job site in Riverside.

Many people walking down Park Street stopped to read the message: “You’ve been sharing bathrooms with transgendered people your whole life.”

Building owner Steve Williams thought the wall was a good way for artists to express themselves while the building was under construction.

But a person caught a construction worker on camera vandalizing the message. He defaced the message with orange paint.

Some agreed with the message.

“I would not want to be with a man in the restroom. Whatever gender you identify with, you should be able to use that restroom,” said Frankie Short.

Others who didn’t support the message said they felt uncomfortable talking on camera.

Williams said the person responsible was a construction worker working inside.

Action News Jax reporter Deanna Bettineschi tried to talk to them about the vandalism.

They didn’t want to speak and said to contact Williams.

Williams said he believes that all people should be respected. He said if anyone is disrespectful they aren’t welcome on his property.

He said the man in this video has been reprimanded. He said the final action for the worker is undetermined.

Williams said he has contacted the artist to come out to repaint the message.

“What happened here last night is a prime example of why the Jacksonville coalition for equality needs your support to expand Jacksonville’s human rights ordinance to provide its residents with equal protection under the law,” the chair of the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality said.

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