In the meantime, enjoy this one
By Matthew McCully
Following acts of vandalism, a pride flag mounted outside the front doors of Lennoxville United Church (LUC) is gone, but not forgotten.
Once repaired, it will be returned, assured Bruce Gilbert, one of four worship leaders at the church.
The vandalism was not random, according to Gilbert.
Damage to the flagpole was first noticed on Tuesday, June 13. It was fixed immediately, but within two days it happened again.
“In both cases the flagpole was forcibly bent down so that the flag was lying on a railing,” Gilbert explained.
In addition, pride stickers that had been placed on signage in front of the church and on the door at the Church Street entrance of the building were removed by someone.
The secretary at LUC also received an anonymous phone call insisting the flag be taken down.
“A pride flag belongs outside a bar,” Gilbert said was one of the caller’s comments.
The decision to fly the flag was made on May 2. The 11-member LUC council, which Gilbert chairs, voted unanimously in favour of the gesture.
Gilbert said the goal was to let the congregation and the community know that the church is a welcoming, safe space for LGBTQ+ people, echoing the inclusive policy of the United Church of Canada.
