Pride flags stolen across South Bay – NBC Bay Area

Several Pride flags have been torn down in the South Bay this month, with the most recent incident occurring at a home in Almaden Valley.

Huy Le, a counselor at De Anza College’s Pride Center, said he hung the flag at his home to signal to people that they were welcome. When the flag was ripped down and shredded on Sunday, he was shocked but not surprised, he said.

“It felt hurtful and dehumanizing,” Le said. “I have students telling me about similar microaggressions they face. This is still an ongoing problem of hate towards our community.”

According to community members, this is not the only incident.

Some said they saw gay pride flags placed at crosswalks in Willow Glen being stolen.

Gabrielle Antolovich, board president of the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center, said Sunday’s incident should be investigated as a hate crime.

“Flags are symbolic and this behavior is hate behavior. It says you have no right to be who you are,” Antolovich said. “This happens everywhere. In Willow Glen, they’re stealing the rainbow flags on Lincoln Avenue again.”

Le said he plans to report the incident to police in the future, but also plans to repair his flagpole so he can fly another Pride flag.

“We will continue to hold our flag high. Ultimately, we will not tolerate intolerance,” he said.

Last year, more than 70 Pride flags were stolen in San Jose.