Pride Flag from Spectrum House Thrown in Trash – Again
Sean Newhouse
Online Editor-in-Chief
The sheet sign from Spectrum’s house that was discovered in the trash in September (cover photo) courtesy of Chloé Massie-Costales
A pride flag from a house in the south student neighborhood primarily for LGBTQ+ students was pulled down and thrown in the trash for the second time this semester.
Club president Chloé Massie-Costales informed members of Spectrum, UD’s gay-straight alliance, last Monday that a pride flag from the club’s house was found in the trash on Nov. 10.
In September, a pride flag and sheet sign from the Spectrum house were similarly pulled down and discovered in the trash.
“LGBTQ+ people on this campus are just as much a part of the greater University of Dayton community as anyone else,” Massie-Costales said. “We belong here. We are welcomed here. We are not going away.”
Pride flags also were stolen in July from houses in Oakwood, a neighborhood that borders UD’s campus.
The university condemned this second incident in a statement to Flyer News.
“Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident,” university officials said. “Incidents of disrespect and vandalism occur far too often on a campus that takes pride in our commitment to community and Marianist spirit.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B40T6WrpQ6j/
This is not the only incident Spectrum has had to deal with recently.
On Nov. 9, according to an email from Massie-Costales, a man who identified himself as a UD alumnus shared pamphlets with two of the house’s residents that included “anti-homosexual religious statements.” Spectrum does not believe this incident is related to the pride flag being torn down.
Massie-Costales said university staff has offered support to the Spectrum house residents regarding both incidents.
The residents have since put up more pride flags around their house.
Individuals who have information regarding any bias-related incident are asked to contact Public Safety (937-229-2121) or the equity compliance office at 937-229-3622 or its online form.
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