Shiels says she doesn't know at this point whether the theft was homophobic or transphobic

MAPLE RIDGE (NEWS 1130) – Pride and transgender flags flying from Golden Ears United Church in Maple Ridge have been stolen. But Minister Leenane Shiels says her church will not be deterred in efforts to create an inclusive environment, after the flags were nabbed Friday night.

“I would love to talk with whoever took the flags and find out what motivated them. I would really love to have a conversation,” she says. “So if it was someone who had really disagreed with what we had done, I would really prefer to have a conversation face to face.”

Shiels says she doesn’t know at this point whether the theft was homophobic or transphobic, or some kind of prank.

“Understandably, people in the church who are LGBTQ themselves feel quite threatened by the disappearance of the flags and are worrying: ‘Is this the beginning of something more, what happens if we put more flags out?'”

The church has ordered replacement flags, and Shiels says will not be discouraged in its aim to promote an inclusive community.

“It’s not going to stop us. We do believe that it’s an important message that we’re sending to the community about equality and respect and belonging.”