NORFOLK, Va. — Thursday morning, employees of Norfolk's LGBT Life Center found hate speech scrawled across several signs that they had installed just months ago.
The LGBT Life Center has been in the building on Robin Hood Road since 2018, serving Hampton Roads' LGBT community and anyone who needs the support. The organization provides health services, housing assistance, transportation and has a food bank.
CEO Stacie Walls said they did not have any issues in the space before the signs were installed.
"For a community that is already usually marginalized and underserved, it is hate. It just reminds us that there is more work to do," she said.
Clients say the vandalism is disappointing, especially because of how recently the signs were put up.
This comes after a recent report from Virginia State Police indicated violent crimes are up across the Commonwealth. This includes hate crimes, which increased nearly 49% in 2023 since the year before.
Most hate crimes reported were assault or intimidation, followed by vandalism of property.
But Walls said they wont be deterred by the hateful messages. They will clean up and keep going. She added that an additional center will open in Hampton in early September.