A cafe in Ingersoll, Ont., is turning an act of hatred against the 2SLGBTQ+ community into an opportunity to do something positive for the community.
The Evergreen Coffee Lounge on Thames Street South has raised more than $200 in support of Oxford County Pride after their storefront was defaced with homophobic graffiti this week.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said the graffiti was left sometime between 7 p.m. Wednesday and 6:30 a.m. Thursday. The OPP’s Hate Crime Extremism Unit is investigating.
Co-owner Jonathan Clow told CBC News on Friday that the vandalism was written in thick marker on the shop window and included a homophobic message and an ‘X’ on a sticker stating that all were welcome.
“It’s really sad. We weren’t angry because we live in a world where we see this kind of thing all too often,” Clow said.
“I just feel sad that in 2024, there’s still people who hold that much anger or hate in their heart for fellow human beings who are just trying to make their way through this world, just like the rest of us.”
The incident comes less than a month after the shop opened on Jan. 15.
Clow didn’t believe the business itself was targeted, other than for its support of people of all sexual identities and orientations.
“We’re not interested in being divisive. We want to be inclusive, we want to be a safe space,” he said.
The graffiti was cleaned before staff and patrons arrived on Thursday morning.
In response, the shop will make every Feb. 8 a ‘Day For Love, Equality, and Coffee,’ with money collected from brewed coffee sales going to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Thursday’s donations were matched by the shop’s coffee provider, Altitude Coffee Roasters, Clow said.
Afternoon Drive7:09Norwich Township introduces new flag policy
Norwich Township in Oxford County has changed their tune when it comes to flying the pride flag, among others, at their community flagpole. Last year, the township restricted all flags apart from government flags, but now it will have an approved list. Guest host Travis Dolynny is joined by Lynne DePlancke, a councillor who voted in favour of a new pre-approved list of flags, to hear more about the policy.
“Unfortunately, we had a passerby this morning comment that they would not come to our shop because we support gay people,” Clow said.
“And that’s fine. We’re okay with everybody having their own opinion. We know we have a lot of good people in Ingersoll who don’t feel that way, and they’re happy to come in and support us, and we’re happy to have them.”
Oxford OPP Cst. Randi Crawford said the incident was the first like it to be brought to her attention recently, adding that the service takes hate/bias motivated crimes seriously. No suspect or vehicle description was available.
“We want to be an inclusive community, and we want everyone to feel safe. We have fantastic resources here in Ontario,” she said, highlighting the 211 helpline, which connects people to community-based social services.
Anyone with information on this or other incidents is being asked to contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
Thursday’s vandalism follows other hate-motivated incidents in the county in recent years, in which Pride flags were being repeatedly stolen or damaged.
Last year, Norwich Township banned non-government flags from municipal buildings, something 2SLGBTQ+ community members argued targeted Pride flags specifically.
Last month, Norwich council voted to establish a community flagpole with flags representing various causes and ideas raised at the request of residents. The Pride flag was among those pre-approved to fly.