Marblehead Church Vandalized After Removal Of Gay Pride Flags

MARBLEHEAD, MA — A peaceful protest in support of the Marblehead LGBTQ+ community — and in opposition to vandalism — took place on Sunday in response to the removal of Gay Pride flags from the Grace Community Church and the ensuing vandalism of that church late last week.

Marblehead Police Chief Dennis Allen said members of the LGBTQ+ community had offered to pay for the clean-up of the graffiti even though "the content of the graffiti most likely is in support of the LGBTQ+ community."

Police said the town's greater LGBTQ+ representatives said the vandalism "does not represent how they further their message of acceptance."

The graffiti — which appeared to include a multi-color rainbow with the words "Stay Gay" and "Love Is For Everybody" — was found early Friday morning after two Pride flags that were placed in a flower box by the operator of a preschool that is run out of the building were removed.

"I know that tensions are high around the removal of Pride flags at the church," King said in a statement. "But people need to allow for the process to address any dispute between the church and the tenant. I expect the people involved to work together and allow for them to co-exist while any legal matter is explored.

"I think I can say with confidence that people in the town of Marblehead choose to respect one another over everything, even if they disagree."

King said that vandalism in the name of any viewpoint "will not be tolerated" and those responsible will be prosecuted if identified.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)