After Gay Couple’s House Was Vandalized, Their Entire Neighborhood Put Up Pride Flags

“It just happened so quickly—the whole neighborhood said, ‘Get me a flag. Get me a flag.'"

From: NewNowNext

 Massachusetts is considered one of the most gay-friendly states in the union, but when Lauri and Cari Ryding returned from vacation last week they discovered someone had stolen the Pride flag from their house in Natick and and pelted their home with eggs.

The couple had hoisted the rainbow banner after the Pulse nightclub shooting, so seeing such hatred on their front door was heartbreaking.

“It was our first experience in Natick of having any type of prejudice,” Cari told the Boston Globe. “We hadn’t experienced it all, and it kind of broke open our little cocoon.”

But then something wonderful happened: One by one, their neighbors put up rainbow flags in front of their houses.

“It just happened so quickly—the whole neighborhood said, ‘Get me a flag. Get me a flag. Get me a flag,’ ” explained neighbor Penni Rochwerger. “If we can stop whatever hate is out there, I think that’s really important.”

Some 42 homes, or two-thirds of the houses in their neighborhood of Strawberry Hill, are now sporting the Pride symbol.

“The first thing [I thought] when I heard about it was ’Alright, I’m going to put up a flag. We should all put up flags,” said Maura Gaughan, who helped distribute the flags, which came courtesy of the Rainbow Peace Flag Project.

The Rydings say it’s just another example of the inclusiveness and diversity that drew them to Strawberry Hil in the first place.

“Somebody’s fear called them to action,” adds Lauri. “But our neighbors support and love called them to action, and love conquers hate. Love wins. We win.”

Lois McGillivray, 85, explains the spirit of the neighborhood has always been live and let live, “as long as you’re not digging up the garden and throwing the dirt in my yard.”