The intersection of LGBTQ+ and the Arts communities has been strong for decades. But combining the two also creates an easy target for criminals. We were reminded of that this week when Island City Stage was the victim of vandals. Their new landscaping was destroyed along with planters at the neighboring Foundry/Plays of Wilton theater. Beyond that, surveillance video from a business across the street shows a person shutting off the water to the building and Bodytek Fitness. Island City Stage’s Managing Director, Martin Childers, told me, “We just had the new planters installed and anchored two weeks ago and it was paid for by donors. As a non-profit everything we do comes a great cost and our community makes it possible. To see it destroyed in any way is disheartening. And if we were targeted in any way that’s a totally different story.” Were they targeted? Wilton Manors police are investigating, but it appears so. LGBTQ+ owned and/or friendly businesses were the target. That section of Dixie Highway is becoming the next Wilton Drive and, during early evening hours, is an LGBTQ+ hotspot. This happened around three a-m Tuesday morning and no one was around. That fits the “M-O” of a cowardly bigot. This serves as a reminder that we must always be careful, especially in the places we feel the safest.
