Advocates: As Anti-LGBTQ+ Rhetoric Rises, Hate Crimes Increase
The burning of a transgender Pride flag at a Massachusetts church is only part of a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ harassment being driven by hate speech from the right, advocates say.
As reported by NBC News, staff members at United Parish of Brookline in Boston reportedly found their transgender Pride flag burned on the morning of Aug. 26. The flag was displayed on the church for more than a year.
"We've been inclined to think this was a one-off," said Rev. Kent French, senior pastor at United Parish. "But it makes us vigilant and wary."
According to a police department spokesperson, the incident occurred sometime between 10 p.m. on Aug. 25 and 9 a.m. the next day. Although the church has security cameras, there was no clear video captured of the incident.
French, who describes himself as openly queer, explained that his church strives to be inclusive of all people, and trans people are an integral part of the church's parishioner community.
According to a local LGBTQ+ advocate, the flag burning is only the beginning of harassment driven by anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric from the right.
"This is a part of a growing trend of anti-LGBTQ extremism that we've seen across the country as well as in Massachusetts," said Janson Wu, the executive director of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders. Wu pointed to a recent bomb threat incident last month at a Boston Children's Hospital because the hospital provided gender-affirming care to trans youth. Earlier this summer an affordable housing project for LGBTQ+ seniors was vandalized with homophobic threats in Boston's Hyde Park Neighborhood.
But as incidents have escalated, the city is taking action. Brookline police recently welcomed an LGBTQ+ liaison, who has been in contact with United Parish about the incident.
Local police are investigating the burning of the church's transgender Pride flag as a hate crime.
About the police department's response, French said, "I feel very grateful to be part of a community that takes this seriously."