New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
A church in Massachusetts was vandalized with pro-LGBTQ graffiti. The vandalism is thought to be revenge after members removed Pride flags that were placed on the property by an gay couple renting its facility to run a preschool. The graffiti said, “Stay gay. Stay hard.”
“At approximately 7:30am this morning, Marbelhead Police took a report of graffiti vandalism to a local church.
The incident appears to have occured during the overnight hours and Marblehead Detectice Sergeant Sean Brady is leading the investigation.
The content of the graffiti most likely is in support of the LGBTQ+ community. But notably, members of the Marblehead’s LGBTQ+ community have already offered to pay for and clean up the vandalism as they have reached out to the police department and indicated it does not represent how they further their message of acceptance.
Chief Dennis King states, “I know that tensions are high around the removal of pride flags at the church. But people need to allow for the process to address any dispute between the church and their tenant. I expect the people involved to work together and allow for them to co-exist while any legal matter is explored.
I think I can say with confidence that people in the Town of Marblehead choose to respect one another over everything, even if they disagree. Actos of vandalism will not be tolerated, and those responsivle for this act, or any future acts, will be held accountable if identified.”
If you have any information about this specific act of vandalsim, please contact Sgt. Brady at 781-631-1212 ext. 25.” Marblehead Police Department.
pleasantstpreschool IG photo.
“This past Sunday, this woman and her husband were caught removing the flags outside of the church put there in celebration of Pride Month. As a gay person who runs a business there, I simply wanted representation and to display this symbol of peace, love and acceptance. I never discussed Pride, the flags or what it means to be gay with the children. They noticed them on the way to the park and thought they were pretty.
This past March, the church sent me a notice asking us to vacate the premises with a 3 month notice. After explaining to them how awful that would be for me and the families I had just re-enrolled, they felt bad and gave us more time. But, I can only continue to operate in the space with my yearly building inspection submitted to the state department that licensed my program. I have been waiting since August for them to do some simple fixes to the space so we can get the inspection completed and then get relicensed.
I never understood why the church was kicking us out and they couldn’t give a clear answer that made sense to me. When I signed the lease initially with the pastor, I was upfront about being gay and wanting to run this school with my partner and he assured me this was a safe and accepting place, as I specifically asked knowing homophobia can be an issue sometimes. The pastor resigned in December, and after that, things started to change.
So, after this incident with the flags, it seems like the real reason I’m being booted has become clear. I wrote to the church about all of this and in their response, there is no apology, no saying they don’t stand with what that woman said (or her husband who does maintenance at the church) and didn’t even address the incident with the pride flags at all. Regardless, how can I continue on in place that obviously doesn’t want me there?
I’m so beyond sad and frustrated. I can’t tell you how difficult it is to have to go there every day now and try to remain composed and run a normal day for the kids.
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#marblehead #happypride #marbleheadma #pridemonth #northshoremoms #gaypride #marbleheadmassachusetts #happypridemonth #gayrights #northshorema #prideflag”-pleasantstpreschool IG.
