Salem Schools Offer Counseling After Anti-LGBTQ Vandalism Spate

SALEM, MA — Salem school officials said the district will take steps to provide support services for its LGBTQIA+ students and staff — including making counselors available — after police said vandalism incidents targeting Pride symbols were found across the city early Wednesday morning.

The Tabernacle Congregational Church, United Church of Christ was among what Salem police said were several targets — including Pride-themed crosswalks and flags — of the vandalism in the pre-dawn hours. The rainbow door of the church was hit with graffiti that read "Cancel LGBTQ 2024."

The church hosted the Northshore Alliance of LGBTQ Youth (NAGLY) prom this past weekend.

"This will certainly have a profound impact on our students, families, and staff in the LGBTQIA+ community," school officials said. "Our counseling staff will be working to identify any community members who may be affected and experiencing a range of expected emotions upon learning about these events."

NAGLY was set to have open drop-in hours at their location at 2 East India Square, Suite 121, on Friday from 3 to 8:30 p.m. Those affected were invited to talk about the incidents with clinical assistance on-site to support anyone in need.

"As a school district, we stand firm and resolute in our support of the LGBTQIA+ community and we will continue to remain a welcoming and affirming school district," school officials said.

Salem Mayor and School Committee Chair Dominick Pangallo, Police Chief Lucas Miller and U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton all issued statements on Wednesday condemning the vandalism.

Pangallo said that Salem police were "acting quickly to identify those responsible and bring them to justice."

"To our LGBTQIA+ neighbors, please know that your city stands with you and unequivocally condemns these criminal acts of hate."

"We do not tolerate acts of hate like this in Salem or anywhere in Sixth District," Moulton said via his X/Twitter account.

Senior Pastor Rev. Joe Amico of the Tabernacle Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, issued a statement to Patch citing the church's mission statement proclaiming: "Our faith calls us to speak up in the face of prejudice, injustice and exclusion, and to express in a word and deed our hope for justice and inclusion for humanity."

Amico further told Patch that the church's doors are a statement to the community that "God's doors are open to all."

"This hateful act will not deter us from proclaiming God's love to all people," Amico said. "The doors will be repainted and declaring what we believe:

"Love Wins."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)