Republican Byron Donalds repeatedly misgenders Florida transgender woman who challenges him

Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds faced criticism after repeatedly calling a transgender woman “sir,” including after she corrected him.

Political content creator Jessica Kelly shared a video on Facebook, captioned “Byron Disrespects a Trans Veteran Woman.” Amid a statewide bus tour, Donalds had a tense exchange with the unidentified activist, who pressed the candidate about a recent anti-trans political mailer.

President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Donalds and has used anti-trans slurs in recent speeches, is scheduled to campaign for him Friday afternoon at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Alico Arena in Fort Myers. The rally comes as Donalds faces Democrat David Jolly in the November 3 election.

Related: Republican Byron Donalds attacks Democrat David Jolly over trans rights in Florida governor’s race

“Something that really upset me as a member of the LGBTQ community: there is no trans agenda. I know. I'm trans,” the transgender woman said in the video. “I don't have any agenda, but I do see an agenda with the Epstein files. I see a massive cover-up. How do you plan on protecting children if you are being endorsed by somebody that’s covering up the Epstein files?”

Donalds began responding, but the woman interrupted to correct him.

“I am not a sir, I am a ma’am," she said.

Donalds then replied, “As a member of Congress, I voted to release those files,” referencing his support for a bipartisan bill that required the Justice Department to release records relating to the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Several bystanders took issue with Donalds’ use of the word “sir.” One asked, “Are you f----ing kidding me? Calling her sir? What the f--- is wrong with you?”

Related: Florida Republicans Ron DeSantis & Byron Donalds continue attacking Naples Pride's family-friendly drag shows

“I’m listening to the voice, and I hear a sir,” Donalds said. “I’m sorry.”

The woman responded, “Yeah, ‘cause you don’t see the rest of me.”

Donalds insisted on returning to the question but again addressed her as “sir.”

“Sir, we are talking about a trans agenda?" Donald said.

“Sir, again,” the trans woman responded.

“Yes,” Donalds said.

The woman then ended the exchange. “Okay ma’am, f---k off,” she said before walking away.

The Advocate has reached out to Donalds’ gubernatorial campaign for comment.

Donalds supported efforts to move Naples Pride’s drag show indoors last year. During his campaign for governor, he has criticized Jolly for supporting access to gender-affirming care for minors.