Sale Lake polica seek info after Utah Pride Center sign tagged with hate speech

The Salt Lake City Police Department is asking for community tips to help with an investigation into vandalism at the Utah Pride Center.

This investigation started at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14, when a Pride Center volunteer noticed hate speech spray painted on the main sign of the center, located at 1380 S. Main Street.

Staff members have since removed the word “faggots” from the sign.

At a press conference announcing the Center’s future leadership and direction, Incoming executive director Ryan Newcomb said it was important to emphasize community safety for marginalized individuals following such incidents.

“You will not deter us in the fight for love and equality and celebration of who we are as human beings,” Newcomb said.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is asking anyone with information to call 801-799-3000.

A similar incident happened in 2010 at the Marmalade neighborhood location of the Utah Pride Center, when the word “FAGS” was sprayed over the sign of their coffeeshop.

A neighborhood on Washington Street near Harvey Milk Boulevard has had several incidents of Pride flags being cut down from porches and ripped up and even burned.

In October, Chief Mike Brown joined community members and released a public service announcement as being a partner against hate.

In Utah, a hate crime is a criminal offense committed against a person or property that is motivated by the offender’s bias or prejudice against the victim.

“The Salt Lake City Police Department recognizes our responsibility to investigate hate crimes thoroughly and impartially to hold offenders accountable and ensure justice for victims. The Salt Lake City Police Department educates its officers and works with the community to recognize and condemn hate crimes and works to prevent them from occurring in the future,” SLCPD said in a statement. “The effects of a hate crime can be devastating and long-lasting for both the individual victim and the larger community.”