In the run-up to Pride Month, volunteers in Rodgers Forge say they have been stuck in a frustrating loop: put up a poster, watch it disappear or get defaced, then put up another one. Flyers promoting neighborhood Pride Month events have repeatedly been torn down, cut up, and spray-painted this spring, forcing organizers to keep replacing signs as June approaches.
The vandalism has been particularly upsetting in the walkable Towson neighborhood, where children pass the displays on their way to school. Organizers say they have notified police and are preparing extra safety steps for the march and festival that typically wind through the streets.
In April, Rodgers Forge Pride posted flyers around the neighborhood advertising yoga classes, a Pride crawl, and the group’s march and festival. Volunteers later found many of the posters damaged or removed, organizers told WMAR-2 News. Crews have had to replace some signs multiple times after vandals cut up and spray-painted the flyers, organizers said.
Neighbors, Doorbell Cameras And Police
Several neighbors say their doorbell cameras captured people taking down the posters in broad daylight, and organizers have shared that footage with police. Bryan Crawford, a leader with Rodgers Forge Pride, told WMAR-2 News that volunteers "have replaced many of them, as many as four times or more." The group says it plans to keep staging neighborhood events while working with law enforcement on security details.
Broader Pattern In Baltimore County
Local investigators say what is happening in Rodgers Forge fits into a larger trend. Hateful fliers and vandalized Pride displays have been reported across Baltimore County this spring, and county police told WBAL-TV 11 News they have opened nine hate-speech investigations since January. Officials urged neighbors to share surveillance footage with detectives to help identify suspects.
Legal Note
Under Maryland law, destroying or defacing property because of a protected characteristic, including sexual orientation and gender identity, can be prosecuted as a hate crime under Md. Criminal Law §10-304. As outlined by Justia's summary of the statute, misdemeanor violations can bring jail time and fines, while offenses tied to felony conduct can carry stiffer sentences.
What Organizers And Neighbors Are Doing
Organizers say they will keep replacing damaged or missing signage and are encouraging neighbors to report vandalism and share any doorbell footage with investigators. Many residents say they plan to show up for the march and festival not only as a show of support but also to serve as extra eyes along the route.
