40 Homes in Boston Suburb Raise Rainbow Flags After Attack on Gay Neighbors

Lauri and Cari Ryding, a lesbian couple living in a Boston suburb, discovered they were the victims of a possible hate crime this week. After returning home from vacation they found that their home had been egged and the rainbow flag hanging outside had been stolen.

“It really is hard to feel someone hates you,” Cari Ryding told to WWLP News.

After the egging, a group of boys delivered rainbow flags to houses around the neighborhood and helped turn what seemed like an unsafe place for LGBT families into a place of love and support.

Nearly 40 houses ended up showing their support for the Rydings, nearly two-thirds of the homes in the neighborhood, and the couple was overwhelmed with joy.

“One person’s act of fear and maliciousness created such a powerful statement of love,” Lauri Ryding said to the Boston Globe. “We are very blessed, very fortunate.”

Lauri and Carli have lived in the neighborhood for 23 years.

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