Vandals in Austin, Texas, tore down a Pride flag and spray-painted hateful messages on Life in the City United Methodist Church, but instead of bowing to intimidation, the LGBTQ-affirming congregation responded with color, creativity, and community.
Early this month, church leaders reported that their Progress Pride flag had been ripped down, and that vandals left a message on the building reading: “Pride was the 1st Sin.” Alongside it, a cross with three crossbars, the bottom one askew, was also painted.
In the statement issued, Pastor Glenn Luhrs said,
“This act was meant to threaten the mission we hold sacred: offering the radically inclusive love of God in Christ for the health and wholeness of mind, body, and spirit…Sadly, this is not the first time hateful rhetoric has appeared on our walls. And it comes at a time when our city is already hurting.”
Luhrs pointed to a recent public assault of a transgender woman and her friends at nearby Barton Springs, noting,
“These are not isolated events. They are part of a growing pattern of violence and dehumanization targeting LGBTQIA+ people and other marginalized communities. Let us be clear, Life in the City stands firm in our call to love our neighbor, without exception or condition.”
However, instead of dwelling on the hate, the church launched a “creative restoration project” the very next day. Volunteers painted two vertical Progress Pride flags on either side of the entrance, added transgender flag colors above the doorway, and incorporated a rainbow mural alongside the church’s logo. By Sunday morning’s 11:15 AM service, the vandalism was gone, replaced by a bold public statement of love, resilience, and Pride.
