A transgender pride flag on the front lawn of the United Parish church in Brookline was burned and destroyed on Saturday, according to church leaders.
The church reported Saturday’s alleged crime to the Brookline Police Department, it said in a statement.
BPD is investigating the incident as a hate crime, according to the department’s LGBTQ+ liaison Kristin Healy.
The progressive Protestant church on Harvard Street in Coolidge Corner has been targeted before: A transgender pride flag that previously flew on its lawn was destroyed in August of last year. Police are still investigating that crime as well, and have not made an arrest, Healy said.
“As leaders, we want to be clear in the affirmations we offer to those who are, know, or love a member of the trans community: There is nothing that will ever intimidate us away from proclaiming God’s Truth that our trans siblings are beloved children of God, that the LGBTQ community is sacred and holy, and that it is our duty as a Christian organization to stand on the side of the marginalized and fight for justice, compassion, and peace,” United Parish pastors Kent French and Amy Norton wrote in a statement.
French said that the church will replace the flag and also plans to “put up many other smaller pride flags around the lawn.” United Parish is also planning to install a camera on its front lawn.
The church asked anyone with information about Saturday’s crime to contact Healy at kmhealy@brooklinema.gov.
June is LGBTQ Pride Month, a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer history and culture.