These colors don't run

When David Bousquin arrived at the United First Parish Church in Quincy on the morning of Oct. 18, something was not right. There was a wedding scheduled on that Saturday, so Bousquin was in charge of arriving early to set up cones to block off an area around the church. When he pulled up at 7:00 a.m., he noticed the rainbow flag that normally marks the back entrance of the church was missing.

"The flag pole was on the ground in two pieces," Bousquin said. "Then I saw the remnant of the flag. It wasn't very much, but you could see the colors." Bousquin picked up the pieces and brought them inside the church.

Sometime during the night, between Friday's wedding rehearsal, when the flag was still flying, and when Bousquin returned Saturday morning, the rainbow flag that symbolizes the church's support of the LGBT community was set on fire.

"We don't know if someone was making a statement against the LGBT community or our church," Bousquin said. "We don't know how widely known it is what that flag symbolizes."

United First Parish, a Unitarian Universalist congregation, has been a long time supporter of the LGBT community. In 2006 and 2007 the church, which is situated in Quincy's bustling downtown, displayed a large banner across its stately facade that said "People of Faith for Marriage Equality." The congregation has flown a rainbow flag outside the historic church, which is the burial place of former presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams, for about four years. The UFPC is also a certified "Welcoming Congregation," which means if affirms the full inclusion of LGBT people in the life of church and society.

The church contacted the ACLU and Quincy Police department but thus far there are no leads on who vandalized the flag. The church considers the incident a hate crime.

"It's a misdemeanor whether it's hate crime or just vandalism," said Lieutenant Detective Jeff Burrell of the Quincy Police Department. Burrell said that until they have a lead, they could not determine if the act was meant to victimize the LGBT community in general. A vandalism conviction can result in a fine, probation and community service, but those penalties would be more severe if the act is proven to be a hate crime.

"We do think it's someone with hate and bigotry in their heart," said the Rev. Shelton Bennett, United First's minister. "It's upsetting that there's at least one person who thought they had to burn a flag at a church."

This is not the first time the church's rainbow flag has been targeted; one was stolen in August. The church reported the theft to the police, but a suspect has not been apprehended.

"I can't even speak," said Kathleen Frost, the co-chair of the welcoming congregation. "When I see the hatred people have for the gay community, it makes me cry, that someone would do this to a group of people who want to be themselves." Frost said that of the 80 members of the church, about 15 are members of the LGBT community.

"The good news is that Sunday morning the flag was back up," Frost said. "And we'll continue to put it up."

Bousquin said a possible suspect might be one of the homeless people that stay around the church. There is a shelter nearby and the church participates in feeding the homeless.

"We have a problem with them hanging out by that back entrance," said Bousquin. "Some people find it intimidating to come in that entrance, so we have to make them leave. We don't know if this is retribution for that."
United First is taking some security precautions to prevent vandalism in the future, such as keeping the area better lit and securing the flag better in its holder.

"We don't want to dwell on what happened," said Bousquin. "We just want to prevent it in the future."

Bennett said it is important to "stand in solidarity" with the LGBT community and that the church has a "history over the last few decades of leadership with respect to fair treatment. We respect the worth and dignity of every person."

While there is still a certain level of animosity towards the LGBT community, Bennett said, "the city is making progress in being tolerant."

"I hope the day will come when there's no need to fly a flag," he said. "When people will accept people for who they are, in all their diversity."