NORFOLK, Va. — Signs outside the LGBT Life Center in Norfolk were vandalized on Wednesday, the center reported.
One sign was tagged with the words in black marker with "F*** LGBTQ" and "F*** LGBTBBQ+P". A larger concrete sign had messages about gender identity.
“This vandalism is a clear sign of the fear and intolerance that still exists in our society,” said Stacie Walls, CEO of LGBT Life Center. “But let us be clear: while a sign can be damaged, the spirit of our community cannot be broken.”
Watch related: Norfolk church Pride banner taken, signs vandalized
The center reports it also regularly receives death threat calls, and have had to enhance security measures at its Hampton facility with bullet-proof glass.
A 2023 analysis of crime released this month by Virginia State Police noted that hate crimes in the commonwealth have increased by nearly 50% over 2022. The report did not state what groups the hate crimes were committed against.
Watch: Construction begins on LGBT Life Center in Hampton
In June — Pride Month — LGBTQ+ signs outside of a church in Norfolk's Ghent neighborhood were vandalized with the words "Pride is Sin" — another with rainbow flags was stolen.
But Walls said they are using this as an opportunity have the community rally supporters around their mission, concluding with, "No act of hatred will deter us from creating a world where everyone is accepted and valued for who they are."
As of Friday, Norfolk Police Department and the FBI had not confirmed whether they were investigating this act as a hate crime.
According to the Uniform Crime Reporting Program, a hate crime is a criminal offense motivated by race, religion, ethnicity, disability, gender, or gender identity.
Gin Montanarelli who works at the LGBT Life Center explained that seeing the signs took her breath away.
“You know, if you’re not into the lifestyle then don’t participate in it. You know? You don’t have to even necessarily support us, but if you could just not go out of your way to harm us, that’s all that really matters.”
