Pride flags in Launceston’s Brisbane Street Mall have been cut down in what is believed to be a targeted act of vandalism.
The incident has prompted condemnation from local leaders and LGBTQIA+ advocates, with police now investigating the matter.
Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood expressed his disappointment over the vandalism.
“We’re all so incredibly disappointed to see how something so positive … is being responded to by an individual or individuals,” Garwood told Local Radio.
“At the end of the day really, whatever the motive this act strikes is at something more deeper than our flags and banners. It chips away at that spirit of inclusion.”
The mayor confirmed the council has referred the matter to police, suggesting footage from CCTV cameras around the mall might assist the investigation.
“I do feel like the way in which this is being conducted is more likely a targeted attack at the specific initiatives and our community,” he said.
Rodney Croome from Equality Tasmania said the vandalism appeared to be motivated by hatred.
“It is … very disappointing because we like to think as a community that we’ve come a long way since those dark days of the decriminalisation debate in Tasmania,” Croome told Local Radio.
“These kinds of actions remind us that there is still hatred and prejudice in the community, and of course it reminds us why celebrating pride and having those flags up is important in the first place.”
The vandalism occurred on the same day Launceston was hosting its first local government forum on LGBTQIA+ inclusion just a few hundred metres from where the flags were destroyed.
Croome offered words of encouragement to young LGBTQIA+ people who might be affected by the incident.
“I understand the disappointment and frustration that you feel,” he said.
“If anything, it will galvanise more support I think for pride initiatives and for the idea of support for LGBTQIA+ people who take pride in who we are.”
