Blind woman branded 'transphobic' for raising guide dog issues around Dundee street art – Scottish Daily Express

The issue of Dundee street art obstructing access for guide dogs has resulted in accusations of transphobia, all because the concerned citizen stated the colours of the stripes.
A Dundee resident who walks with a guide dog has complained about roads being obstructed by art projects featuring blue and pink stripes but has been branded 'transphobic' for pointing it out.
Social media user Ash, 49, said her pup Rusty would not cross a section of the road at Union Street near the top of the High Street because the markings were too confusing. The labrador interpreted the markings as a zebra crossing but the colours and positioning were different so he diverted.
The council's artistic efforts have been slated for compromising the rights of disabled people while online comments have seen Ash branded a transphobe for stating the colours are blue and pink – the same as the trans flag.
READ MORE: Scottish Parliament APOLOGISE after woman chucked out for wearing suffragette colours
Ash took to Twitter recently to share her strained experience. She wrote: "13 years of walking the streets with 2 guide dogs. Straight lines and indent from junction to cross roads. I couldn't care less what was painted on the road. Rusty didn't want to cross the road because the road was painted. Will be contacting local GD team in morning.
Since raising her concerns, other locals have called on the council to address the challenge that painted roads present to working dogs while criticism aimed at Ash prompted her to respond.
One social media user said: "This poster is transphobic- they are spreading untruths about this public artwork in a pedestrianised area because they want to stir up hatred. It’s not a crossing. There was no street to cross."
Despite never claiming the colours are linked to trans people, one Twitter account wrote: "It has nothing to do with trans people. It's just brightly-coloured artwork. You're obsessed."
However, the issue of paint obstructions is not new and is not rooted in objections to gender ideology. Ash said: "Getting accused of having alternative motives. I had [the] same issue just after lockdown when they painted the whole pavement of castle street. Nothing to do with LGBTQ+ Rusty refused to walk on it and tried to walk me down the road."
While the markings appear to mimic that of a zebra crossing, it is a pedestrianised area so the paint does not have to match the black and white. The Dundee based Service Design Academy worked with UNESCO Dundee to develop the artwork.
One of the designers, Callum Laird, said: "I wanted the design to encourage people to walk on the street rather than the pavement as well as act as a visual barrier for vehicular traffic and to serve as a ‘funnel’ to drive visitors to Dundee up and in to the city centre."
Some locals have hit back in support of disabled walkers using the pathway through the city.
"Woah that's not on, Dundee has been training Guide dogs around it's street for ages. Working dogs aiding the disabled take precedence. Whoever signed this off needs to look into rights of the disabled," said one person.
READ MORE: SNP and Scottish Greens vote against amendment making it harder for sex offenders to change gender
Another wrote: "I thought planners when coming up with new & different elements for road safety took 'safety for all' into consideration? Seems not eh?"
Dundee City Council said: "The project’s overall aim is to create a safer, more attractive, healthier, and inclusive place which is enjoyed equitably by the people who live on, work in and visit the street.
"The project will also increase and diversify the number of trips to and through the street made by walking, wheeling or cycling for everyday journeys."
They have been asked for further comment.
READ NEXT:
For the latest politics news, click here.
For more news, follow us on Facebook and Twitter but never miss the latest top headlines and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

source