A Pride banner in Rushden, Northamptonshire, was set on fire just four days after being installed, prompting organizers to bolster security for the upcoming three-day event. The banner, which cost around £160, was found with large, scorched holes on Saturday, June 5, after being erected on local railings the previous Wednesday. This is not the first incident; an earlier banner vanished after being placed outside Asda on Washbrook Road.
Organizers Devastated but Determined
Sapphire Matthewman, one of the organizers of Rushden Pride, expressed devastation upon discovering the damage. 'It's not surprising; when we announced the event, there were comments saying 'burn it',' she said. 'I can't talk about it without crying. It's not just taking from us; we've partnered with two charities, Serve and Stonewall. It feels like they are taking from them.' Despite the setback, Rushden Pride will proceed with increased security measures, including police patrols and stricter entry controls.
Drag Queen Shares Personal Struggles
Traya Buns, a drag queen who personally funded the banner, described the act as a 'kick in the guts' amid rising homophobia in the area. 'Something inside me told me this banner, like the last one, won't last,' they said. Traya reported experiencing growing public homophobic assaults, including being called a 'tranny' and spending hours deleting social media accounts.
Police Investigating Hate Crime
Thames Valley Police confirmed they are investigating the incident as a suspected hate crime, alongside the theft of the previous banner. A spokesperson stated: 'The incident happened between 9pm on Friday, June 5, and midday on Saturday, June 6. The local Neighbourhood Policing Team is investigating not only criminal damage but also a suspected hate crime. We are engaging with the organizers and the local LGBT+ community regarding this incident and forthcoming Pride events.'
The community remains defiant, with the Pride event going ahead as planned, now with enhanced security to ensure the safety of all participants.
