Standing in front of the sign for HOPE United Church of Christ, Tim Higgins told a gathered crowd on Sunday that the Aurora church will not be backing down after the recent vandalism of its LGBTQ+ pride flag.
“The sign that was vandalized is an outward expression of a spirit that cannot be destroyed,” said Higgins, the church’s moderator. “It’s a belief in one another that transcends boundaries.”
On Sunday morning, to show the community that HOPE United Church of Christ will continue to be accepting of all people, members of its congregation tied over 220 ribbons in the colors of the vandalized flag to the church’s sign on Ridge Avenue.
They were joined by members of Bethany United Methodist Church, where HOPE currently holds its services, and Aurora city officials, including Ald. Brandon Tolliver, 7th Ward.
“Vandalism is always wrong, but vandalism at a church is even more egregious,” Tolliver said after tying a number of ribbons to the church’s sign. “I felt like it was really important, on behalf of the city and on behalf of Ward 7, to show that we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the LGBTQ+ community.”
Also in attendance from the city of Aurora was Ivan Quinones, vice chair of the LGBTQ Advisory Board.
Quinones said change often comes through overcoming difficult circumstances, so while sad that this happened in Aurora, Quinones is glad to see the community’s response.
“I really feel that it’s important to stay connected, and a way to stay connected is to be a part of the change,” Quinones said.
In total, around 30 to 40 people attended the ribbon-tying event.
“We didn’t know who to expect,” said the Rev. Vilius Rudra Dundzila, the church’s outgoing pastor. “This is a lovely turnout for a Sunday morning.”
The “progress pride” flag was vandalized on April 7, according to church officials. The Aurora Police Department is currently investigating the incident, Aurora Police Lt. Joseph Howe previously said.
According to Dundzila, the flag was cut from the church’s sign, shredded, then reattached to the sign. The flag represented the church’s acceptance of all people, including those of all gender identities, sexualities, ethnicities and races, he said.
Now, that inclusive spirit is shown through the ribbons covering the church’s sign, which Dundzila previously said will be much harder to vandalize than a single flag.
Quinones hopes the pride flag will be replaced, and that the LGBTQ Advisory Board might be able to help in that effort.
The diversity fostered by HOPE United Church of Christ’s message was on full display Sunday morning, as people of different ages, races and sexual orientations came together to tie up the ribbons.
After about half an hour, the sign was completely engulfed in the colors of the rainbow.
“I feel like this is even better than what was there before,” Tolliver said. “This shows community effort, community organization, community togetherness and I love everything about it. This is what Aurora is.”
rsmith@chicagotribune.com
