Pride mural vandalized

The LGBTQ+ community received support from the city and community this past weekend after the Pride street mural downtown was vandalized late Friday night. The painting, located in the intersection of West Main Cross and Main streets, features rainbow bars painted in the shape of Ohio, with a star marking Findlay. It was installed at the beginning of June by LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay. By early Saturday morning, someone had spray painted "STRAIGT PRIDE" across it, misspelling the word "straight." "It's just disheartening really, because you feel like we're getting somewhere, and then something like this happens," said Dr. Jasmin Bradley, executive director of Spectrum of Findlay. Findlay police are investigating the incident. The incident is not the first case of vandalism to strike local art. In recent weeks, sidewalk art promoting ethnic and cultural equality has been vandalized multiple times around the community. Mayor Christina Muryn issued a statement Saturday afternoon condemning all acts of vandalism and calling on the community to spread love, not hate. "Over the last few weeks and most recently, last night, our community has seen vandalism on artwork promoting the diversity within our community. This vandalism is unacceptable and is not representative of our communities values. ... The individual(s) responsible for these acts will be held accountable and I encourage all in our community to spread love not hate. ... we must promote mutual respect and appreciation for all residents and visitors regardless of their differences." Bradley said that the community quickly began to show support after postings of the vandalized street mural circulated on social media. Local companies that are allies of Spectrum began to post messages of support. Marathon Petroleum was one of those companies, issuing a statement Saturday in support of Spectrum and inclusivity. "As an inclusive organization, Marathon Petroleum strongly condemns this defacement and any act or expression of hate, intolerance, racism or discrimination. We stand with Spectrum of Findlay and the LGBTQ+ community everywhere, and we will continue to work with local leaders, businesses and organizations to ensure our hometown is a place where all individuals feel welcome, accepted and valued." This is the second year that Spectrum of Findlay has installed the street mural downtown, and the overnight vandalism is a stark contrast to the extensive process the nonprofit goes through to get both state and city approval to install it. "State Route 12 is a state highway, so you cannot do any kind of painting on a state highway without permission," said Bradley. "And so for the last two years we've lawfully sought permission to do this through our City Council and the planning commission." Spectrum of Findlay started planning this year's mural at the beginning of the year. It requires a detailed proposal for a permit, as well as extensive planning on the part of artists. The mural is done with a 20 foot by 20 foot stencil, which Bradley points out "you can't just pick up anywhere." And, like other cases of recent vandalism, the culprit's struck at night. Attention to detail was also visibly not a priority. "I think it really says it all doesn't it?" Bradley said. "If you feel like that's how you have to make your statement, and if you don't really think about it enough to spell it correctly, then you've probably not really thought about your statement enough." The street mural has yet to be restored. It has been covered by the city after efforts to power wash the graffiti were unsuccessful. Bradley said that Spectrum is currently working with the city on a plan to respond to the vandalism. Spectrum of Findlay's mission is to make the community inclusive and equitable for those who live in it. Bradley encourages those who want to know more about the group's efforts to reach out as soon as possible. "The fact that they have to kind of go out in the darkness at night and do it and couldn't just come and speak to us and have a human discourse about these things is just disheartening. We're always open to people coming and wanting to know more about what we do," said Bradley. "I hope that people would reach out to us if they had concerns or questions." Bradley said that those looking to learn more about how to be effective allies to the LGBTQ+ community in general can visit pflag.org. For those looking to learn more about Spectrum of Findlay's efforts within the local community, email contact@spectrumoffindlay.org or visit the LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay Facebook page.