Church Slashes Pride Flags in D.C.

A D.C. couple’s celebration of Pride Month turned ugly when their rainbow flags were literally sliced off their property by the church next door — the very same church that rents them their apartment.

Jay Richards and his partner were feeling festive in the nation’s capital, especially with WorldPride 2025 happening in full swing. So they did what many LGBTQ+ folks do in June: they decorated. A gate outside their home — part of the property connected to Walker Memorial Baptist Church — was lined with rainbow flags and a sign proudly declaring “Happy Pride.” But the message wasn’t well received by everyone.

At first, the couple received a warning from the rental company, EJF Real Estate Services, asking for the decorations to be taken down, citing a no-outdoor-decorations clause in their lease. While disappointed, the couple negotiated an extension to keep them up until June 9 — just until WorldPride wrapped. The rental company agreed, seemingly respectful and cooperative.

But then, things took a turn for the worse.

According to Richards, a church custodian trespassed onto their gate area and cut down the Pride decorations while he watched from inside the apartment. “They left the rainbow flags in a pile by the door,” Richards said. “But the American flags we hung alongside? Untouched.” The message was loud and clear.

To make things even more infuriating, the church sent an email that tried to wash its hands of the situation. “This is not about subject matter,” they claimed, insisting their mission is to “seek unity, not division,” and that the rule applies to all decorations. A convenient statement — but one Richards wasn’t buying.

“They’re saying it’s about any decorations,” he said. “But I just don’t believe they’d do this if it were Christmas lights.” He added that the clause, rarely enforced, seemed to come down with divine wrath only once rainbow flags were involved.

When “No Decorations” Means No Pride

While technically the church and rental agency may be within their contractual rights, the selective enforcement reeks of discrimination. It’s the kind of quiet bigotry that LGBTQ+ tenants face all too often — hidden behind lease agreements, building rules, or church politics.

In a city hosting WorldPride, this incident is especially sour. It’s a reminder that queer people are still navigating environments where their joy is conditional and their identities are seen as optional decor — removable at will.

More than just cut fabric, this was a symbolic erasure. Pride flags aren’t decorations. They’re declarations — of survival, of presence, of rights hard-fought and still under attack.

For queer tenants across the country, the takeaway is clear: read your lease, but also read the room. Because sometimes, the clause isn’t about property — it’s about prejudice.