JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Local pastor Kenneth Adkins said he planned to protest a Duval Democratic Party event in a drag costume on Monday night, but he backed out of that plan at the last minute.
The protest was in response to the debate over adopting a Human Rights Ordinance in the city of Jacksonville.
In Adkins' recent Facebook posts, he could be seen wearing a wig and also said on Facebook he was going to "deliver a message to the homosexuals that have taken over the Duval Democratic Party."
Adkins tells me his main concern with a possible HRO surrounds those who are transgender and that's why the church leader was going to dress up.
Latest News Headlines from Action News
"If HRO passes, I'm forced to allow people in women's bathrooms. I don't think that's right," Adkins said.
On Monday, Houston mayor Annise Parker spoke at the Duval Democratic gala, where the theme was human and civil rights. We asked the openly gay mayor about Adkins' posts.
"Anyone who would do that has no concept at all of what gender identity truly is and how hateful and hurtful that is," Parker said.
Voters in Houston just said no to a similar ordinance earlier this month. Meanwhile, Jacksonville's Republican mayor Lenny Curry is hosting several meetings to discuss a local HRO.
"It needs to be in writing and it needs to be fully supported by our mayor and our city council," said supporter Matthew Arieger.
We reached out to Curry's office and the local Republican leadership for comment about the HRO. Both said they will not be making a statement.
For Action News on the go, sign up for Action News Mobile & Email alerts