On arrival for work on January 19th, the staff at Goulbourn Museum were met with a disturbing scene. In the early morning hours, the Museum’s flagpole had been vandalized and the Pride flag stolen. All was caught on the security cameras on the Museum’s site. Two men were seen pulling the flagpole down with the help of their vehicle and then made a quick departure with the Pride flag leaving behind a mess. The Ottawa Police were contacted and the Hate and Bias Crime Unit are investigating.
Museum staff shared the incident with residents on their Facebook page. “Although deeply disheartening, neither the act nor its intolerant motivation have done anything to lessen our commitment to the LGTBQIA2S+ community represented by the flag. In fact, it has shown that there is more work to be done in combating hate and has strengthened our resolve to continue fostering an environment that celebrates diversity.”
The Board of Directors and both Councillors David Brown and Glen Gower were contacted by Museum staff to make them aware of the incident.
Councillor Brown shared on his Facebook page, “All forms of hate are entirely unacceptable and I condemn this illegal vandalism in the strongest of terms. I am glad that the OPS is taking this case seriously and that the flag will be restored to its proper place.”
Councillor Gower also shared his comments on his Facebook page, “I’m sad to hear about this damage and theft of the museum’s Pride flag. I’m glad to see police are investigating. As the museum says – there is still more work to be done to combat hate and foster a community that celebrates diversity.”
Not to be deterred by this incident, the flagpole will be replaced and a new pride flag will fly again.
The Museum is welcoming of all people and the staff ensure that “it is a space where everyone feels valued and respected”.
So sad that there is so much bigotry in our community these days!
WHAT SHAME! MAY THE SECURITY VIDEO BE ENOUGH TO IDENTIFY AND HOPEFULLY SHAME THE TWO MEN INVOLVED.
Very sad we have these young men among us.
It is wrong to steal. A crime was committed. But that aside, isn’t the Goulbourne Museum well supported with public money? Why is the Museum flying that flag in the first place? Shouldn’t public institutions be neutral? Is there something wrong with the Canadian or Ontario or Goulbourne flag? What is the connection between the long and storied history of Goulbourne and sexual proclivities of a vocal present day minority? Valid question IMO for the Museum’s Board of Directors to consider.
We live in complex relationships and times. Hatred, bigotry, and visible hypocrisy exist everywhere in the world.
Values such as love and empathy bind together groups of people and keep people alive.
The Goulbourn Township Museum staff have done a lot of educational work and have created a welcoming inclusive environment.
Hopefully the community will rise above this destructive behaviour and continue to work on education, inclusiveness, increasing diversity and openness to others. Much depends upon individual personal growth and development, changing attitudes, expanding one’s horizons and worldview—essentially “doing ethics” and building upon work that has begun.
What does advocacy for the gay, lesbian and trans community have to do with the Museum’s purpose of displaying the history of Goulborn Township? The answer is “Nothing”. Flying that flag is entirely inappropriate and detrimental to the mission of the museum by creating division. Your mission would be much better served by flying a Canadian, or Ontario or museum flag. These flags present no stumbling blocks to potential visitors or donors, and in that respect are much more inclusive.