Pride flag vandalism raises concerns on Whidbey Island

An increasing number of acts of vandalism and reports of theft involving LGBTQ+ pride-themed displays have been circulating around the South Whidbey community this month.

The latest incidents include banners stolen from South Whidbey High School and the Langley visitor information center as well as damaged flags and poles at the Langley United Methodist Church.

“I think it’s just a trend right now,” said Jeff Natter, a member of nonprofit organization South Whidbey Pride. “People are finding it more easy to be brazen about their hatred.”

Yet advocates can attest this is not the first time Pride flags, banners and other items have been targeted around Langley. As far back as September, staff at the South Whidbey Community Center noticed a Pride flag that had been flying for the past two years had been hacked down and replaced with an American flag. All that remained of the stolen flag were two tattered pieces. In March, a replacement flag secured with 50 zip ties was promptly slashed and tied in knots on the ground next to the flagpole two days after its raising.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/pride-flag-vandalism-raises-concerns-on-whidbey-island/