LGBTQ-friendly Charlotte church vandalized again

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A south Charlotte church known for being LGBTQ-friendly has been repeatedly targeted by vandals, and it was recently hit again.

Members of Wedgewood Church told Channel 9 it is upsetting and hurtful.

The front rainbow doors were vandalized with spray paint, along with the walls to the back door of the church.

In January, someone spray-painted the front doors of the church with a homophobic slur.

Church leaders said that vandalism came just after the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board voted to expand its definition of diversity to include sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

Church leaders said Wedgewood Church has been attacked nearly a dozen times for its open and affirming stance toward LGBTQ community members.

Since then, cameras have been installed, hoping to deter vandals from coming back and writing hateful remarks.

Church leaders said they want their members to know that despite this incident, their community will continue living a life that is welcoming and full of love.

"This is still a safe place, this is still a welcoming place,” Deacon Brienne Guirantes said. “We want to reach out to the community and let them know that we are here regardless of what was scrawled on our walls."

Church leaders said they are reviewing surveillance video and working with police, hoping to track down the person or people responsible.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Student said he had 'surprise' for teacher before stabbing her, victim's father says
• Rae Carruth settles in Pennsylvania after finishing 18-year prison sentence
• Winning $1.5B Mega Millions ticket sold in Simpsonville, SC
• 9 Investigates: Coal ash site exposed near Lake Norman High School
• Officials identify man found dead in middle of 250-acre Union County field

Cox Media Group