Lockport Business Removes Anti-Transgender Sign

LOCKPORT, IL — A Lockport business that put up a sign with an anti-transgender message has since removed it. The sign, which was posted outside of Will County Loan Co, read, "Help Wanted - Must Be Female From Birth" drew attention from area residents. The business is located at 1111 E. Ninth St., in Lockport.

When Patch spoke to owner Richard Tisch on Wednesday, he said the sign was "just satire."

"I'm not even hiring," he said, and added he had "nothing against transgenders, queers, gays, whatever you want to call them."

Tisch said Wednesday he had several calls and people come into the store to talk to about the sign.

"I would say that 80 percent of the calls I've gotten have been positive," he said at the time. Backlash continued to grow throughout the day Wednesday, and the business was featured on several nightly news broadcasts.

Tisch said he knew people were offended, but he put up the sign because he is also offended.

"I'm offended because, as a taxpayer, I am paying for people who want to get a sex change in the military," Tisch said. "That's what I object to."

As of Aug. 17, the sign was removed and the sign now reads "Cash 4 Old Marbles."

Photo by Andrea Earnest | For Patch.