Maple Ridge man upset after partner’s Pride flag sticker vandalized

A Maple Ridge man is speaking up after his partner’s Pride flag sticker on his car was vandalized.

Matt says it happened last Wednesday, when his partner texted him that someone had vandalized and tried to remove the sticker. He says both he and his partner are part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and they’re upset after the incident.

“I was angry that someone would treat my partner that way and I was disappointed as a Canadian,” Matt said.

“He wants to be proud, and he is proud, and so that was just one of the ways that he wanted to show his Pride everyday.”

Matt says this is another reminder for them of how prevalent homophobia can be, adding even though it was just a car sticker, it sends a message they’re not welcome or wanted in the area.
Matt believes the sticker was vandalized out of ignorance instead of hate.

“In a lot of ways, it’s people not knowing what Pride actually is….all it is really is the fact one partner is proud of being his authentic self, and that’s all,” said Matt.

Matt believes when someone tries to shake or instill fear in you, you should not stay quiet and remember to speak up.

“Tell other people about it, don’t stay quiet about it because that’s what they want. They want you to stay quiet and I’m not about to do that.”

While he says it’s never okay to damage someone else’s property, he hopes this experience will remind people that despite all the rights the 2SLGBTQ+ community has received over the years, there is still hate.