SPOKANE, Wash. – The Episcopal Diocese of Spokane took a stance against homophobia by matching donations to Spokane Pride for repainting the downtown Pride mural that was defaced last Thursday.
According to Spokane Pride, the Episcopal Diocese matched all donations to repaint the Pride mural, resulting in the organization reaching the full funding amount needed to repaint the mural on Tuesday.
Bishop Gretchen Rehberg joined city leaders in condemning the defacement on Friday.
“Love always wins, hate will resist it, but as in every generation we must be vigilant and we must work together,” Rehberg said.
Rehberg is the first female Episcopal bishop of Spokane and a Pullman native with a long history of advocating for an inclusive theological vision.
It isn’t clear whether the mural will be repainted in time for Pride Month celebrations in June. but a new law designating the defacement of public property to threaten a group because of their race, gender or sexuality a hate crime will go into effect June 6.
