The LGBT flag display on the Pray-Harrold lawn was defaced. The time of the incident is currently unknown.
According to Mary Larkin, LGBT Resource Center program coordinator, an LGBT student saw a picture on social media around 10 a.m. and when LGBT students went to check it out, they discovered that someone had taken the purple, green and orange flags in the display, leaving it more than half empty.
“I have really mixed emotions,” said Chase Anderson LGBTRC event coordinator. “It makes me feel uneasy. I know people that helped put this display up that did not come from supportive backgrounds and they come to EMU because it is safe and this is just a slap in the face.”
Preston Johnson, also an LGBTRC employee is outraged at this display of hate towards a large population of the Eastern Michigan community.
“I feel under attack,” Johnson said. “Whether the attack was out of ignorance or malicious intent it was absolutely wrong and it only highlights the necessity of the display.”
Johnson is looking for ways to move forward from this hate crime on "OUTober".
“I want to organize a public address and put into place a “walk with me” coalition specifically for LGBT persons.”
The public address would be from EMU’s LGBT community to EMU addressing the safety concerns this damaged display has brought to light.
The “Walk With Me” coalition was something started by members of the Muslim Student Association and the Middle Eastern Student Association so students could walk in groups of friends and allies who also feel unsafe, especially at night.
Though SeeUS is offered at EMU the “Walk With Me” coalition is for students that identify as LGBT and walk with other LGBT students and allies who understand the safety concerns hate crimes and bullies bring about and to feel safe together.
“No one understands what you are going through like some one going through the same thing” Jessica Start, junior, political science major said. “I love the idea and would use it especially at night, I want to feel safe.”
Larkin said whomever is responsible for the hate crime is suspected to have done this overnight. While the members originally thought the colored flags were missing, they found they had been disposed of under some nearby pine trees.
“Each flag pulled up represents an LGBT person bullied, assaulted, raped, and [or] murdered for being who they are,” Johnson said.
LGBTRC employees want to see some accountability.
“I at least would like an apology,” Johnson said.
“I think an apology is the least the bullies could do,” Harrison Clark, sophomore, English major said. “I also hope EMU administration has something to say about this. The President was out here helping put it together will she help fix the damage that has been done now? I really hope so.”
A few members of the resource center and other students that walked by worked to get the flag back together. The LGBTRC is working on a way to move forward and address the issues as soon as possible.
