Two Utah couples feel targeted after pride flag theft, vandalism

SALT LAKE CITY — As lawmakers put together to go same-sex marriage protections, two homosexual {couples} in Utah really feel unsafe after crimes had been dedicated on their properties.

Zach Hutchings and his accomplice mentioned the pleasure flag exterior their home was stolen Tuesday night time.

“Got here out, went to the workplace, seen it was gone,” Hutchings mentioned. “Determined to examine the cameras, and positive sufficient, somebody got here to borrow it.”

He mentioned he wasn’t shocked by the surveillance footage.

Ring doorbell video exhibits somebody strolling as much as his home within the Avenues. That particular person jumps as much as the flag pole, misses, then jumps once more. The person then rips down the complete flag pole and runs down the road with the flag in hand.

“I wasn’t too bothered by it, to be sincere,” Hutchings mentioned. “It’s one thing that we’ve come to count on, I feel. When it occurs to you, you are taking it and transfer on.”

Ogden couple Taylor Knuth and Sean Bishop woke as much as discover their progress pleasure flag burned to items on their entrance porch Wednesday.

“We’ve been collectively for nearly 12 years now, and we’ve referred to as Ogden house for many of that point, so to see that flag form of laying there melted onto the porch, it was actually disheartening that that would occur in my metropolis, in my house,” Knuth expressed.

Bishop mentioned, waking as much as a chunk of their property burned rattled him.

“What may’ve occurred?” he mentioned. “Our bed room’s excellent up there. Who is aware of if would’ve woken up in time to cease it if it did get uncontrolled.”

The vandalism occurred the identical week lawmakers labored to go the Respect for Marriage Act. The invoice would shield same-sex and interracial marriages.

“We had been pondering and speaking about that as we went to mattress that night time,” Bishop mentioned.

Each incidents occurred throughout the identical week the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints introduced it was backing the Respect for Marriage Act.

Hutchings mentioned general, he’s happy with that stance, however he’d wish to see extra progress, particularly after the theft.

“I wouldn’t essentially say it’s a win, however I feel non secular freedoms and equalities go hand in hand, and I hate to see, globally, these two factions combating slightly than working collectively,” he mentioned.

Knuth and Bishop are working with police to research what occurred at their house. They mentioned they really feel supported by a lot of their associates and neighbors.

“The individuals of Ogden actually confirmed up for us in the previous few days. I feel we’ve had a half dozen flags dropped off or mailed to us,” Knuth mentioned.

They mentioned current laws is an effective first step however not sufficient.

“Clearly, we’re nonetheless not there but,” Bishop mentioned. “There’s nonetheless work to do.”