Story and photo courtesy of St. Bede’s, Menlo Park
The flag pole itself was destroyed, but St. Bede’s dedication to supporting the LGBTQ+ community of Menlo Park is not. The Pride flag has flown at St. Bede’s for many years, and that is not going to change any time soon. This act of vandalism is not in line with the promises we make in the Baptismal Covenant to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself,” and to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.”
The Gospel of John reminds us, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
From the official office of the Episcopal Church:
For decades, LGBTQ+ Episcopalians and allies have worked to make The Episco
pal Church a place of belonging and inclusion. They have prayed, studied, and discerned, and in doing so, we have all seen the evidence of God’s blessing in the lives and love of our LGBTQ+ siblings in Christ. In 2026, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of our church affirming that LGBTQ+ people have a full and equal claim to the love, acceptance, and pastoral care of the church. The journey to make that promise a reality continues today, as we remember the struggles, celebrate the joy, and give thanks for love and for lives that refuse to be erased.
The bracket and flag pole have since been repaired and the Bede’s Pride Flag returned to its place of prominence in front of the church, but hatred directed at our LGBTQ+ neighbors continues to run rampant. We as a church community are in a unique position to provide enthusiastic support for marginalized communities and all of our neighbors. Pride Month is fast approaching, and now is a greater time than ever to remember: “To love another person is to see the face of God.”
To learn more about the uphill battles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, the reason for the existence of the pride flag, and how you can help, we recommend the following resources:
- The Trevor Project – Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ Young People
- The History & Meaning of the Pride Flag
- Charity Navigator: Learn more about LGBTQ+ Charities
May God’s love shine on us all, and protect our neighbors from hatred and violence.
