Brookside volunteers repair anti-LGBTQ graffiti at church: ‘Love overcomes’

The incident at a Brookside church is the second act of anti-LGBTQ+ vandalism this week.
Six brightly colored doors, inscribed in black and white lettering with the phrase, “God’s doors are open to all” stand in front of the Kansas City United Church of Christ in Brookside — a tribute to the church’s long standing acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. But in an overnight act of vandalism Wednesday, the words “pervs” and “repentance” were scrawled across the doors in big, white lettering. The church’s pride flag was also stripped from its flagpole and stolen.

Community volunteers were quick to respond Thursday afternoon. Scott Switzer lives next door to the church. He said he jumped into action when someone sent him a photo of the vandalism.

“My family is in the painting business, so we went up to Sherwin Williams and bought 'em the rollers and brushes and frames and got done,” said Switzer, explaining the church had leftover paint.