Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson
Following the discovery of anti-LGBTQ and antisemitic graffiti outside the Long Beach Pride headquarters, Los Angeles County leaders have swiftly condemned the act and offered direct support to the organization.
The hateful messages, which included a swastika and other derogatory language, were found spray-painted on a utility box in front of the building. The incident is currently under investigation by the Long Beach Police Department as a hate crime.
In response, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn promised $2,500 to Long Beach Pride to upgrade and expand its security camera system.
In a statement, Hahn said, “This was not just vandalism—it was a threat meant to terrorize the LGBTQ community.” She added that the hope is the security upgrades will give staff, volunteers, and community members “peace of mind.”
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson also condemned the act, calling the graffiti “not just an attack on a symbol, but an attack on our LGBTQ+ family, friends, and neighbors.” He affirmed that the city “does not tolerate threats or attacks against our LGBTQ+ community, period.” The city’s graffiti-removal team was dispatched immediately to remove the vandalism.
Officials from both the city and the county have emphasized their commitment to fighting hate and ensuring the safety of the LGBTQ+ community, with Long Beach Pride’s interim president, Elsa Martinez, stating that acts of hate are “deeply concerning” but will not stop them from their mission.
