Rainbow flag stolen from historic Cambridge church

The outer countenance of Cambridge's First Parish is a little less colorful this week following the theft of the church's rainbow flag that's been hanging outside of the historic building for the past month, and this isn't the flag's first departure.

During Hurricane Irene, the flag was found in a bundle outside of the church. Doubting that the storm could have had such an effect, the flag was restored 20 feet higher than it had originally hung. It was not accessible without a ladder and considerable effort, the congregation said, voicing fears that its second disappearance could have intentionally targeted the church's LGBT members.

"It's unfortunate that we have to respond to the spiteful acts of one or perhaps a handful of people who are themselves caught in the grip of fear and ignorance," Senior Minister Fred Small said. "We have compassion for them, but we can't ignore public assaults on our property, and far more important, on our principles. The rainbow flag will wave again at First Parish in Cambridge."

The First Parish congregation is considering a re-dedication ceremony to raise a new rainbow flag and reaffirm their support for the LGBT community and commitment to human rights.

"While we can be proud of our state for being a beacon on marriage equality, the attack on our flag reminds us that we have a long way to go," said First Parish Social Justice Chair Marcia Hams. "Transgender people in Massachusetts still don't have legal protection against discrimination and harassment, and we need to do more to make sure that all young people, gay or straight, are safe in their own schools."

The church (which traces its historic roots to 1636 Puritan times) in 2002 was recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association as a Welcoming Congregation for its support of LGBT equality and in 2004 hoisted a banner above its entrance that read, "Support Marriage Equality. We do!"