New York Gay Couple Awake to 'Jenner Fags' Graffiti on House

Winnie McCroy READ TIME: 2 MIN.

A New York state gay couple awoke this week to find that vandals had spray painted their home and car with anti-gay graffiti.

Wynantskill, New York couple John Mcenerney and his partner Lyle Houston woke up on the morning of Thursday, July 23 to discover a spray painted slur on the side of their home that reads "Jenner Fags." A window pane in a side door and the window of Houston's Jeef were also bashed in.

"You would think my initial gut reaction would be like, 'oh my God, I fear for my life.,'" Mcenerney told WNYT. "I kind of feel more sorry for the person that they felt it was necessary to try to destroy somebody's house."

The slur is a reference to transgender woman Caitlyn Jenner, to which Mcenerney was puzzled, as neither men are transgender. Houston did not comment on camera, but put shutters over the words to hide them.
"It's kind of ridiculous that in this day and age we have to see stuff like this happen, but it does, even in Wynantskill," said Mcenerney.

Neighbors say they're surprised this happened. Lyle and John have no idea who could have done it and why. They say they live a quiet life and don't have any enemies. �

"If the person who did this, he, or she, or they develops a conscience and goes 'hey, maybe I shouldn't have done that,' but I'm not holding my breath," said Mcenerney.
Lyle said there was also an incident Monday night, but his pit bull scared away someone he now thinks was trying to break in. The couple said they aren't scared, they're just going to remain positive.


by Winnie McCroy , EDGE Editor

Winnie McCroy is the Women on the EDGE Editor, HIV/Health Editor, and Assistant Entertainment Editor for EDGE Media Network, handling all women's news, HIV health stories and theater reviews throughout the U.S. She has contributed to other publications, including The Village Voice, Gay City News, Chelsea Now and The Advocate, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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