Pride » News

Watch: Man Urinates on Pride Flag in Columbus, Ohio

by Emell Adolphus

EDGE Media Network Contributor

Sunday February 18, 2024
Originally published on February 15, 2024

Authorities in Columbus, Ohio, are searching for a man caught on camera urinating on a family's Pride flag — an incident reportedly being investigated as a hate crime.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, the resident of the home where the incident took place reportedly posted footage of flag's dousing on Reddit. The video appears to show a young man approach the house while another young man films what is happening on his phone.

The man who approached the house then begins to reportedly urinate on the Pride flag while holding up his middle finder. He can be heard in the clip saying, "[Expletive] the gays!"

Then the men pound on the home's door before taking off on foot. So far police have made no arrests.

According to the Reddit user who posted the video, two Columbus Division of Police officers, including an LGBTQ+ liaison, came to the house to take a report of the incident.

To catch those responsible, officers reportedly canvassed the neighborhood with hopes to find additional footage. The police are investigating the act as a hate crime, with a potential charge of indecent exposure.

A video of the incident is available at the Columbus Dispatch.