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Sign displays threatening, anti-gay message
The Orlando Police Department is attempting to determine who tampered with a digital traffic message board so that it would display a threatening, anti-gay message.
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando Police Department is attempting to determine who tampered with a digital traffic sign so that it would display a threatening, anti-gay message.
Officers on Wednesday morning responded to a report about a suspicious incident in Orlando's Medical City, near Lake Nona Boulevard and Nemours Parkway.
When they arrived shortly before 5 a.m., they found a traffic sign had been alerted to read "KILL ALL GAYS" in bright orange letters. Police are investigating and ask anyone with information to contact Orlando police at 321-235-5300.
Photo shared with FOX 35
Wednesday also happened to be International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, a day recognized by dozens of human rights organizations to raise awareness of LGBT rights violations. Dozens gathered at the Pulse Nightclub temporary memorial sight to make the date and to reflect on recent legislation which they perceive as anti-LGBTQ.
"We've been warning how all this anti-LGBTQ rhetoric is gonna lead to more violence. We're going to make people feel more emboldened to be outright homophobic, transphobic, biphobic and we're really seeing it right now," said Pulse Nightclub mass shooting survivor Ricardo Negron.
A spokesperson for the City of Orlando told FOX 35 that the sign had been out there for the last four days ahead of a 5K fun run planned for this weekend warning motorists about possible delays.
"When you see someone go through the efforts of hacking a sign to put such a disgusting message, of course, it creates fear," said State. Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando. "And that's the point."
The spokesperson said the message was immediately removed once notified and that the city has contacted the barricade company and police. The sign was also removed sometime Wednesday.