STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — A vandal targeted the Unitarian Universalist Church in Stafford on Monday for its support of the transgender community, which the suspect called “evil,” authorities said.
The suspect — who identified himself as Lawrence Chase — blocked the front door of the church, painted over a sign, broke a post, and taped a manifesto to the front door. The suspect signed the note with Chase’s name and phone number, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office said.
Chase has not responded to Patch’s request for comment.
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Deputies obtained warrants for removal of church property and destruction of property. Authorities have not served the warrants yet.
A caller reported the vandalism to the sheriff’s office around 9:15 a.m. Monday. Authorities said the suspect returned to the church’s property later in the afternoon and admitted to the vandalism.
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The vandal’s message threatened the church for its welcoming stance toward members of the LGBTQ population.
The Rev. Doug McCusker is the minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church.
“The perpetrator left a warning against our LGBTQ Welcoming stance along with a manifesto against Transgender people,” McCusker wrote online. “They piled a bunch of things against our front door and painted over our main sign at the front of our property.”
McCusker also noted that a banner was recently stolen from the church. The banner, which included text over a rainbow background, declared: “In this congregation, we believe love is love. Black lives matter. Climate change is real. No human being is illegal. All genders are whole, holy, and good. Women have agency over their bodies.”
The letter taped to the church’s door on Monday specifically denounced the church’s stance toward transgender members.
“Transgenderism is an evil,” the letter said. A handwritten portion noted that “Every church across America will sign this charter or consider themselves to be at war against reality, holiness, and truth.”
McCusker said the vandalism will not change his church’s stance.
“We remain committed to the work of fighting for justice and Beloved Community,” McCusker wrote. “The signatory of the manifesto based their actions on their Christian beliefs. We consider this to be an act of domestic terrorism and an extreme distortion the true Christian message of Love.”
Joshua Cole is a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates. On Facebook, he agreed with the church’s assessment of the vandalism.
“This is domestic TERRORISM. I am locked in arms with Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg today,” Cole wrote. “Remember this: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God’ Matthew 5:9.”
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Transgender and non-binary children are significantly more likely to consider and attempt suicide, according to the Trevor Project.
However, research has shown that allowing children to socially transition, by using preferred names and pronouns, improves their mental health outcomes. A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry showed that transgender children who are allowed to socially transition had similar levels of depression and self worth as their cisgender peers.
The Trans Lifeline offers 24/7 support for transgender people who are in need of support or resources. Their hotline, (877) 565-8860, is operated by transgender volunteers who can offer peer support.
The Trevor Project also offers a suicide hotline for transgender people online or at 1-866-488-7386.
A national suicide hotline can be reached by dialing 988.
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