Construction worker defaces transgender message painted on building

RIVERSIDE, Fla. — A construction worker was reprimanded after he defaced a message about transgender people at a job site in Riverside, Florida, this week.

Many people walking down the street stopped to read the message that said, "You’ve been sharing bathrooms with transgender people your whole life."

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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, when WJAX asked for his thoughts on the message..

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.

When WJAX tried to talk to the worker about the vandalism, the person 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," Dan Merkan, the chair of the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality said.

Cox Media Group