Students welcomed back to school with Pride flag torn to shreds and note: 'Fags get AIDS'
Campus police are investigating the incident
9 September 2016
by Joe Morgan
by Joe Morgan
_________________________________________________________________
Students at the University of Tennessee got a nasty surprise after their holiday break this week when they came across the vandalized Pride Center.
Last year the Pride Center published a pronouns guide written by some transgender students, including some like ‘ze, hir and hirs’.
Ever since that moment, the center has seen repeated vandalism: windows smashed; flags snatched; the letters ‘LGBT’ scratched off the sign.
And then this weekend, the Pride Center was vandalized once again: the rainbow flag was torn down, burned, and replaced with a note.
It said ‘Fags get AIDS more often’ and then, bizarrely the Hillary Clinton campaign hashtag ‘#ImWithHer’.
Last year the Pride Center published a pronouns guide written by some transgender students, including some like ‘ze, hir and hirs’.
Ever since that moment, the center has seen repeated vandalism: windows smashed; flags snatched; the letters ‘LGBT’ scratched off the sign.
And then this weekend, the Pride Center was vandalized once again: the rainbow flag was torn down, burned, and replaced with a note.
It said ‘Fags get AIDS more often’ and then, bizarrely the Hillary Clinton campaign hashtag ‘#ImWithHer’.
The Pride Center said: ‘Unfortunately, a vile act was committed this holiday weekend. Upon arriving to the Pride Center, one of our students found one of our rainbow flags had been torn to shreds and a homophobic note left in its place. This is the environment that we face so often.
‘After our window was broken out in February, we’ve known that we had to have a more obvious presence on campus. We call on all students who can safely do so, staff, faculty, and administration to take this for the serious act of hatred and violence this is. Use your various powers and privileges to fight ALL forms of bigotry wherever you find it. Fight the state legislature, who have set the tone for what’s acceptable in this state.
‘Together, we can and will make a difference. We will remain here, remain strong, and will not be intimidated and forced back in the closet. Not now, not ever.’
Campus police are investigating the incident.
(H/T Queerty).
‘After our window was broken out in February, we’ve known that we had to have a more obvious presence on campus. We call on all students who can safely do so, staff, faculty, and administration to take this for the serious act of hatred and violence this is. Use your various powers and privileges to fight ALL forms of bigotry wherever you find it. Fight the state legislature, who have set the tone for what’s acceptable in this state.
‘Together, we can and will make a difference. We will remain here, remain strong, and will not be intimidated and forced back in the closet. Not now, not ever.’
Campus police are investigating the incident.
(H/T Queerty).
Check out UTK Pride Center on Facebook, here.
Check out more articles on Gay Star News, here.
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