ANN ARBOR, MI - Decorations and pride flags in the courtyard outside of a gay bar in Ann Arbor have been damaged or destroyed.

On Friday, Aug. 25, the owners of Aut Bar, 315 Braun Court, in Ann Arbor's Kerrytown neighborhood say they found light bulbs smashed, fascia board damaged and notably, colorful streamers and pride flags torn down.

Co-owner Keith Orr said he believes the flags being ripped down are an indication the vandalism targeted the LGBTQ community.

Although the monetary value of the damage wasn't significant, the owners and employees feel violated, he said.

"There's definitely some sense that we're in a culture where people feel like it's OK to do this," Orr said.

This is the fourth incident of vandalism targeting gay people, Jewish people or minorities in the past few weeks in Ann Arbor.

On Aug. 10, Concordia University employees found racial slurs spray painted onto the running track.

On Aug. 18, vandals spray painted racial slurs and swastikas at the skate park at Veteran's Park.

There was a bomb threat Tuesday, Aug. 22 at the Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County.

Ann Arbor Police came out to Aut Bar Friday morning after the cleaning crew discovered it at 6 a.m., Orr said. The courtyard was fine when the bartenders left at 2:45 a.m. Friday.

The vandalism at Aut Bar was the most significant damage the bar has seen in its 22 years, Orr said.

The building has been tagged with graffiti few times, and the Westboro Baptist Church picketed the bar in 2001.

Orr said he's received a lot of words of encouragement from community members and former Ann Arbor residents who patronized the establishment.

"The support has been heartening," he said.

Many people have approached Orr and co-owner Martin H. Contreras about donating to help restore the courtyard, and Orr said they're looking into setting up a fundraising account.

They'll donate whatever money they don't need for repairs to the Jim Toy Community Center, an LGBT center also located in Braun Court.