Gay and Lesbian Fund Building Vandalized
Gay and Lesbian Fund Building Vandalized Save Email Print
Posted: 9:29 PM Jul 31, 2007
Last Updated: 8:51 AM Aug 1, 2007
Reporter: David Nancarrow
Email Address: dnancarrow@kktv11news.com

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Mary Lou Makepeace has little to go on: no proof of motive, only what was left behind from a late night vandalism at her place of business.

“These two rocks were thrown through the windows here at the Gay and Lesbian Fund building Sunday morning," Makepeace said Tuesday.

The rocks, put together, are about a basketball-sized chunk of concrete.

Grainy surveillance shots taken Sunday morning show someone was outside, but Makepeace said they aren't clear enough to tell police the whole story.

"I said I don't know if it's because somebody saw the windows and felt like throwing rocks through the windows, or if they had a touch of homophobia that caused them to throw the rocks," said Makepeace.

Others say the evidence is clear enough.

"It was a targeted crime. It was a hateful crime," said Jay Patel.

Patel directs a diversity forum in Colorado Springs, and says crimes like this do the city long-lasting harm.

The damage done to one building, he says, speaks to who is welcome and who isn't.

"The efforts of the EDC and Chamber of Commerce and other people to attract new business to the city to allow us to grow are hampered by the fact they feel they're not welcome to it,” he said. “It's an economics issue."

Makepeace says the GLFC is moving on from the incident, but feels it's still an uphill climb.

"This is the city of Colorado Springs. We have our work cut out for us," she said.


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Posted by: Bill Location: Springs on Aug 8, 2007 at 04:42 PM
KYLE T.... HAHAHAHAHAHA..... No one HAS to ask that's what the "Submit your comment" button is for Bright One.

Posted by: jack Location: security on Aug 7, 2007 at 05:29 PM
Hey Kyle, what makes you so special that Bills comment means nothing but yours does? Your no more special than him. The moment I quit disliking homosexuals is the moment they quit ramming their propoganda in my face. It has slowed down recently, and I appreciate that. I don't hate the person, I just hate the idea. I do feel bad for this vadalism, and I will be the first to turn in the coward who did it, because I believe you stand up to your opponents and face them rather than hide like a wuss.

Posted by: travis Location: Briargate on Aug 6, 2007 at 03:18 PM
I think its sad that all the other crimes in colorado springs are supported by crime stoppers and this one isnt because it has to do with gays and lesbians

Posted by: Kyle T. Location: Co Springs on Aug 4, 2007 at 06:21 AM
Bill, no one asked for your thoughts/opinion. You didn't/don't bring anything to the dialogue.

Posted by: chgrbill Location: colorado springs, CO on Aug 4, 2007 at 03:48 AM
Just be glad it wasn't burned down.

Posted by: Bill Location: Springs on Aug 3, 2007 at 04:54 PM
"Jaime, pound sand!" OH WOW, what a brilliant retort that was! Your rights end where mine start, and the overlapping effect is why lawyers are a necessity! You can't hide behind the 1st amendment and expect someone to just take your "unbiased" verbal abuse because you have the right to do so. Carry on Jaime!!

Posted by: Jaime on Aug 3, 2007 at 10:32 AM
I have no idea what pound sand means, and yes I do speak from personal experience. I agree with DM that there is too much hate in this town. I think perhaps I was being lumped in with Troy about questioning Focus on the Family and New Life Church. I don't think it was them because I don't think vandalism is their style, so please understand that I am pointing no fingers here. What I am saying is that people should stop discriminating against gays and lesbians. Perhaps I was a little too heated for all of your tastes but that's what I meant. It's terrible and cruel. Homosexuals are murdered everyday just for being gay. That isn't fair because it isn't up to anyone to decide whether or not being homosexual is acceptable. And certainly it isn't fair that people are losing their lives over it. For months I have sat on here saying that people have their right to free speech, Jason. But I have the right to defend myself if am being verbally attacked, and that is what I felt in DM.

Posted by: Jason Location: Co Springs on Aug 2, 2007 at 05:58 PM
Jaime, don't hate just because someone else comments about all the hate in this city. DM is absolutely right, there is TOO much hate in this city. Maybe they don't know what it's like to be a victim of hate for whatever reason. I take it you speak from personal experience? Don't tell anyone to back off! They have First Amendment rights too!!

Posted by: Vick Location: Co Springs on Aug 2, 2007 at 05:53 PM
Jaime, pound sand!

Posted by: Jaime on Aug 1, 2007 at 06:27 PM
Oh please. All I am trying to do is stand up for what is right here. I don't know who did it, but, whoever it was is the hateful one. All I am saying is to leave people alone. Don't talk to me about looking in the mirror DM. You obviously don't know what it's like to be on the victim end of a hate crime. My finger points nowhere but at myself. All I have to say is that people should just let others live their lives as they see fit. Back off.

Posted by: camerina Location: atmel on Aug 1, 2007 at 05:22 PM
it is sad to hear about this...my appologys..for the gay and lesbian... who ever did this...because this person will never come out and says he or she is sorry why cant we just live them alone?

Posted by: DM Location: Co Springs on Aug 1, 2007 at 02:31 PM
You folks both have some serious issues. Start looking in the mirror before you point fingers. There is so much hate in this city it's really disappointing.

Posted by: Jaime Location: cos on Aug 1, 2007 at 10:20 AM
Man that's terrible. Why so hateful? You go to gay pride and there are people screaming bible verses in your face. Sad. Gay people don't hurt anyone. They don't make people gay. They don't worship the devil and they aren't in business to "bring down the church." They are people like everyone else but they catch a bad wrap because they're a little different. Back off people! This is America. Hello? People should be free to live their own lives. "Freedom and the persuit of happiness." As long as they aren't hurting anyone, which they aren't, LEAVE THEM ALONE! It's hard enough. The NUMBER ONE cause of death among homosexual teens is suicide. This is why. Cruelty. Hate. Fear. Lack of understanding. They are just people like everyone else, folks. Leave them alone.

Posted by: Troy Location: Colorado Springs on Aug 1, 2007 at 09:56 AM
I would start questioning people at new life church or focus on the family.