My friends—and neighbours, colleagues, landlords—at St. Paul’s Anglican Church tell the story of the intentional destruction of a bold statement of Pride: the “rainbow staircase” leading up into the Parish Hall was removed by vandals.

While this is egregious by any measure, it’s particularly egregious for me: there has been no more welcoming and supportive a community since Olivia came out as the St. Paul’s community. The love, support, and solidarity they’ve shown our family has been breathtaking.

Desecrating a powerful symbol of that solidarity is wounding: to Olivia, to me, to the faith community of St. Paul’s, to our neighbourhood, and to the larger 2SLGBTQI+ community. To all of us.

“We pray that whoever did this will open their heart and see God’s love everywhere,” the church wrote; it’s difficult to find such equanimity when faced with a threat that strikes so viscerally.