Rainbow flags stolen in Oldebroek on Coming Out Day weekend

Several rainbow flags were stolen in Oldebroek, Gelderland, over the Coming Out Day weekend, in some cases with vandalism. The flag at the Kruiskerk, a church in the village, was also taken. A police spokesperson said several people will report the theft and destruction of the flags.

Earlier this month the municipal council (gemeenteraad) decided the rainbow flag may no longer be hoisted at the town hall, and scrapped the municipality's LGBTI policy. Residents hung flags in about 400 places in the village on Saturday. Activist Kjeld Mooi, who started the flag action, handed out almost 400 flags in the days before.

A flag was raised at the Kruiskerk on Saturday in front of a crowd. Han Wilmink, the church's minister (dominee), said the flag is a Christian symbol. "It shows the many colours of God's creation, and everyone belongs to it. We leave nobody standing on the sidelines here."

Mooi said he has heard from more than six people whose flag disappeared. He rejected any suggestion of a prank. "That is not a prank. That is theft, that is vandalism and that is intimidation. We will not be intimidated." A new flag now hangs at the Kruiskerk, and Mooi said he will replace all the other flags.

Flag at the House of Representatives

The rainbow flag also flew at the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) for the first time. The parliament's presidium first decided to hoist it, but dropped the plan after objections from the SGP. Other opposition parties then tabled a motion, and on Thursday evening a majority of MPs backed hoisting the flag in a roll-call vote.

Police hoisted the Progress Pride flag at stations across the country on Coming Out Day. In the evening, one police station in each province was lit in rainbow colours.