Two men face charges for stealing LGBTQ Pride flags from a lesbian couple’s Arlington, Virginia, home over several months. Matthew Henshaw, 20, faces charges in three of the five thefts between September 2023 and January 2024.
Henshaw faces charges with three counts of bias-motivated unlawful entry and three counts of petit larceny, according to the Arlington County Police Department on February 2, 2024. On the other hand, Joseph Digregorio, 23, faces charges with one count of petit larceny. This is in connection with one of the thefts.
It all started when Michelle Logan moved into her girlfriend Jenna Burnett’s Arlington home in July 2023. Logan, who proudly displayed a Pride flag outside their residence, didn’t know the gesture would take a tragic turn just two months later.
On September 16, the couple discovered their rainbow flag was no longer on its pole. Surveillance footage from the Ring security camera captured a man approaching their home at 2:30 a.m., stealing the LGBTQ+ pride flag, according to the woman.
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Reporting the situation to NBC News, Logan said, “The flagpole was completely destroyed. We reviewed the footage, and it looked like someone in a cowboy hat and flannel.” She continued, “He was just kind of running up and ripping it down and then sort of running away with his friends.”
Immediately, Logan and Burnett filed a police report. Additionally, they purchased a new Pride flag to display outside their home. For the couple, replacing the flag was more than a gesture. It was also a meaningful way to affirm their pride in the broader community.
“Society is so set up for heteronormativity,” Logan said. “As well-intentioned as people can be, there is always going to be an element of not feeling like you fit in when you’re queer. So … we are doing this for us, putting it up again. Also, we are doing it for the community who may not feel as safe.”
Notably, the couple’s Pride flag faced theft four additional times. This prompted them to notify the police and replace it every time. Logan noted that these incidents are a reminder that “this can happen really anywhere.”
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Moreover, Logan mentioned how repeated thefts cause a sense of nervousness for any queer person and the community at large. Also, she noted the validity of these feelings, saying. “Anywhere you go, there are going to be people who aren’t accepting.”
Following the couple’s public discussion about the thefts, strangers started donating to assist them in getting new flags. Using the newfound attention, they decided to redirect the generosity to the LGBTQ organizations each time there was a flag theft.
They also encouraged others to join this initiative. Reflecting on the whole incident, Logan said, “The cowboy doesn’t know it, but he has single-handedly raised $1,000 for the Trevor Project.” The Arlington County Police Department confirmed that the theft investigation remains ongoing.
However, Henshaw was released on a secured bond. Similarly, the county police released Digregorio with a summon. Moreover, Henshaw’s arraignment is due today, Thursday, February 8.
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