The community of San Pedro, California has come to the aid of United States Air Force veteran and LGBTIQ+ activist Ryan Gierach, after footage emerged of him being called anti-gay slurs and being spat on by neighbours.
Having moved to the area two years ago, the homophobic incidents were allegedly set-off by Gierach raising a rainbow flag outside of his home to celebrate Pride Month.
According to CBS Los Angeles, Gierach said one of his neighbours “looked up" at him and "began calling me gay epithets and a child molester."
He continued: “This is not about me, this happens every day in every place in this nation."
Local councilman Joe Buscaino said that it was important for the community to show Gierach solidarity and inclusion.
“We are a town, we are a city that’s inclusive, that regardless of who you love, how you love, how you pray, what you look like, or how you live, that we are welcoming to everyone here in San Pedro,” Buscaino told CBS.
Upon learning of the abuse, Buscaino and local policemen helped organise a small ceremony to raise a rainbow flag at LAPD’s Harbor Division, as well as in a local park, where members of Gierach's neighbourhood came together to show him their support.
