Two Stockton hate incidents toward LGBTQ community under investigation, police say
STOCKTON – Stockton police said they are investigating two hate incidents that happened during the first week of Pride Month.
The first incident happened on El Dorado Street on June 4. Police said someone threw a brick through the Central Valley Gender Health and Wellness Center, which was displaying a transgender pride flag.
They were gone before police arrived and officers took a report of the incident.
The second incident happened on June 5 in the Yosemite Street Village area. Someone removed a pride flag that was displayed on a home.
"It does hit home and hit the heart a little bit," Alexander Silva said.
Silva and Takoda Blaze spoke out about the crime as they see the vandalism at the place they found acceptance as more of a reason to share their story.
"It reminds me of the important part of being visible," Silva said. "For myself, I feel a lot of privilege as a transgender man, the way my outside matches the inside of my heart."
"It's unfortunate that these things happen almost every single year in June, which is LGBT Pride Month," said Christopher Bunnell, director of administration and development at San Joaquin Pride Center. "Being directly targeted and then actual vandalism happening to their center shows the extreme people are willing to go to."
"I was shocked, to be honest," councilmember Mario Enriquez said. "As one of the few openly gay elected officials in the Central Valley, not only did I take it personally, not only did I take it hard, but this is impacting everyone in the entire community."
Enriquez said he is looking into these incidents and how the community can bounce back.
"This isn't allowed anywhere, but we need to do more. Expand education, expand resources for the community, expand protections," Enriquez said.
"We strongly condemn all acts of hate, including those targeting the LGBTQ+ community. These crimes are unacceptable and will be investigated with the utmost seriousness. We are committed to protecting every member of our community, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Hate has no place in our city. We will continue to strive for a more inclusive and secure future for all," Stockton police said.
No arrests have been made and police are looking into whether they are connected.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Stockton Police Department.
