Gay Friendly Church in Quincy, MA Vandalized for Fourth Time

On May 26 the Rev. Sheldon Bennett, pastor of United First Parish Church in Quincy, found that the church’s rainbow Pride flag had been stolen for the third time in the space of a year. Last October, he arrived at the church to find that the flag had been torn down and set on fire (see "These colors don’t run," Oct. 22). Bennett, members of the congregation and the New England chapter of the Anti-Defamation League have concluded that the ongoing vandalism is the result of anti-gay prejudice. Additionally, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office has reportedly been in contact with Bennett and at least one city official to express concern about the vandalism and show support for the church. But officials in this designated "No Place for Hate" city, including members of the Quincy Human Rights Commission, say they are not convinced that the repeated theft and desecration of the rainbow flag is motivated by anti-gay animus. Chris Walker, a spokesman for Mayor Thomas Koch -- who was criticized during his 2007 mayoral campaign by LGBT Quincy residents for signing VoteOnMarriage.org’s petition for an anti-gay marriage amendment -- said the mayor "condemns any act of vandalism, especially at any religious institution in the city, and he condemns this act." Yet when asked whether the mayor believed the perpetrators were targeting the church for its pro-gay stance Walker responded, "Motive is something the police and the prosecutors are going to have to decide." Full Story from Bay Windows

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