琉璃神社

Skip to content

Lake Country Art Gallery Pride flag vandalized again

The Pride flag has been taken multiple times in the last year
screenshot-2025-03-03-at-112046-am
Curator Wanda Lock, Community Engagement Amy Van Dongen, gallery board member Briar Craig and ED Petrina McNeil.

The Lake Country Art Gallery is once again left frustrated and dismayed after the Pride flag from the front of the building was taken, yet again. 

Gallery curator Wanda Lockurator said that over the past year, the Pride flag has gone missing multiple times, most recently in February. After the first disappearance Lockurator hoped the flag had been taken without ill intent 鈥 perhaps as part of a scavenger hunt 鈥 but now fears the actions are intentional and malicious.

鈥淎s this continues to happen, I fear a more troubling reality鈥攖hat there are those in our community who do not support a message of acceptance and belonging for all,鈥 said Lock. 

RCMP have been contacted but told Lock that without evidence, such as video, there is nothing for officers to follow up on. 

The flag has since been found by police, "dumped" behind a Lake Country School, alongside its broken post.

The Gallery has already purchased a new flag and as soon as they are able to source a replacement pole, will fly the rainbow in front of the building once again. 

鈥淲e proudly display a Pride flag at the front of our building鈥攁 symbol of inclusivity and a statement of our commitment to being a welcoming space for all,鈥 explained Lock. 鈥淚n today鈥檚 climate, where right-wing conservatism is gaining traction not only in Canada and the U.S. but across the globe, it is more important than ever to stand in support of underrepresented voices in our community.鈥

As the gallery is a space for everyone, the Pride flag flies as a declaration that all are welcome here. 

鈥淣o matter how many times it disappears, we will continue to replace it,鈥 said Lock. 

 

Breaking News You Need To Know

Sign up for free account today and start receiving our exclusive newsletters.

Sign Up with google Sign Up with facebook

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and apply.

Reset your password

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and apply.

A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox.



Don't have an account? Click here to sign up


Jen Zielinski

About the Author: Jen Zielinski

I am a broadcast journalism graduate from BCIT and hold a bachelor of arts degree in political science and sociology from Thompson Rivers University. I enjoy volunteering with local organizations, such as the Okanagan Humane Society.
Read more



(or

琉璃神社

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }