'This is why we still need Pride,' says non-binary Winnipegger after rainbow flag torn from West End home
CBC
Tanya St. Jacques and their partner are trying to comprehend why someone — who they caught on a porch surveillance camera — would tear down a 2SLGBTQ rainbow flag from their West End home during Pride month.
"A lot of people say we don't need Pride [month], they got rights now, they don't need that," said Tanya, who is non-binary and bisexual. "There's still some hate going. This is why we still need Pride."
Tanya said they and their daughter were home Thursday at about 11:30 a.m. when someone walked up the front steps of their home.
They heard a loud sound. By the time Tanya made it to the door and looked outside, the flag was gone and there was no sign of anyone in the area.
Then, they checked their home surveillance camera that faces out onto the front steps. Video shows what appears to be a man in light pants, dark T-shirt, sunglasses and a baseball cap tearing the flag down and taking it away.
"It was quick, but the violence in action was like, wow, that guy has issues," said Tanya, who is a civilian employed by the Department of National Defence. "I was in disbelief, like, this didn't happen right now. I was pissed."
WATCH | Security camera shows Pride flag being torn down:
They said on top of being angry they were also sad for their 13-year-old daughter.
"She started being uncomfortable and scared because she's also part of the LGBTQ community," said Tanya.
"We had an amazing time at the [Pride] parade and she was commenting on how everyone looks so happy and everyone was so accepting, and now this happens."
Tanya's husband Jeremie St. Jacques raced home from work when he heard the news.
"There's no good reason for someone to do that," he said. "There's no good reason."
Jeremie said he reported the incident to the Winnipeg Police Service non-emergency department, which instructed him to send in the surveillance footage.
A spokesperson for the Winnipeg police confirmed they received a report matching what happened to the St. Jacques.
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