Pride Center, Planned Parenthood both vandalized, possible hate crime investigated
The Pride Community Center of North Central Florida and Planned Parenthood’s Gainesville office were similarly vandalized this past weekend, with their windows smashed by bricks.
Notes were also left behind at both locations, with at least one containing hate speech. The Gainesville Police Department is investigating the vandalism against the Pride Center as a hate crime.
“The Pride Community Center of North Central Florida remains committed to being a safe place, and this display of hatred has only strengthened our resolve to continue to show up with love for our beautiful LGBTQ+ community,” said Tamára Perry-Lunardo, the center’s director. "We’re here, we’re queer — loud and proud.”
Pride Center leader dies: Pride Community Center leaders continue work after longtime leader's death
Pride in Gainesville: 'This is who I am. Take it or leave it.': Gainesville's LGBTQ community shares coming-out stories
Helping locals in 2016: Pride Center opens its doors to grieving residents
Community responds in support
The community quickly responded to help clean up the shattered glass left behind. Others helped to raise thousands for repairs within 24 hours of the incident.
"By the end of the day on Saturday, we had nearly $6,000 in donations, and the donations continue to come in, many with notes of support, encouragement and solidarity," Perry-Lunardo said. "We now have over 425 individual donations, and they are from all over the country and even around the world."
A day following the attack on the Pride Center, Planned Parenthood, located at 914 NW 13th St., was also vandalized. Items were thrown, shattering multiple windows, with a note being left behind, according to GPD.
It is unclear what the note found at Planned Parenthood said, but the one located at The Pride Community Center read in all caps: “This is for you holding homosexual get-togethers for middle schoolers.”
The Pride Center is known for its activism for LGBTQ rights and for supporting members of the LGBTQ community throughout the region.
The attack came just weeks before the highly anticipated return of the Gainesville Pride Festival on Oct. 22, which was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
Hate crime investigation
With regard to the Pride Center, GPD is investigating the vandalism incident as a hate crime.
"Our Pride Center is a place where our community can come and be safe and feel welcomed,” said James Brown, the center’s vice president. “Seeing the center vandalized in this way breaks my heart. This incident is exactly the reason why our community needs safe spaces. Your board at this Pride Center will keep working hard and pouring our love into this community and on making this a safe space again."
Alachua County Commission candidate Mary Alford said the message left behind was evidence of a targeted attack.
“Later I will be angry about this vicious hate crime but right now I’m incredibly sad for every vulnerable person in my community,” Alford said, adding that she faults some elected Republicans who have shared anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. “This does not represent the values of our community and we can’t be defined or stopped by the hate-filled actions of ignorant people.”
Perry-Lunardo said the vandal or vandals will not detour the Pride Center's work in the community.
“We are heartbroken but undeterred,” she said. "Our board of directors is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love the Pride Center has received. We are heartened and bolstered by these continual reminders that love wins."
Andrew Caplan and Javon Harris contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville's Pride Community Center, Planned Parenthood vandalized
