Vandal who stole Pride flag sends victim emotional apology in heartwarming attempt to make amends
Picture of the apology note sent to Julie Cordell-Seamons of Eagle Mountain, Utah alongside a new LGBT+ Pride flag. (YouTube/Fox13)
A woman whose Pride flag was stolen several times from outside her home has received an apology letter and a new flag from the unknown perpetrator.
Julie Cordell-Seamons of Eagle Mountain, Utah, said she had several flags stolen on Halloween, including an LGBT+ Pride flag.
But a few days ago, she said she discovered a new Pride flag on her porch alongside a handwritten apology note.
The note read: “I’m sorry for taking your flag last fall. It did not sit right with me so I’m making it up to you guys for my actions. Have a good 2021.”
Cordell-Seamons told FOX 13 on Monday (1 February) that she had assumed the perpetrator was a trick-or-treater because it looked like a kid “from what I could tell”. She said the action “warmed my heart” because it was a kind gesture, adding “we don’t see that a lot”.
“But I was so impressed – to have an adult do that, let alone a kid, you know, admit they were wrong and try to make up for it,” Cordell-Seamons said. “I seriously started tearing up.”
She said she forgives the person and wishes the best for them.
US embassies can fly LGBT+ Pride flags.
In January, secretary of state Anthony Blinken confirmed that president Joe Biden’s administration will reverse a Trump-era ban on US embassies flying LGBT+ Pride flags.
Blink also said the White House will appoint a special envoy for the human rights of LGBT+ persons.
The role was created by Barack Obama in 2015. But inaugural appointee Randy Barry vacated the post in the early days of Trump’s presidency, and it was not refilled.
Blinken said that filling the role was a “matter, I think, of some real urgency”.
He added: “We’ve seen violence directed against LGBQI people around the world increase.
“We’ve seen, I believe the highest number of murders of transgender people, particularly women of colour, that we’ve seen ever.
“And so I think the United States playing the role that it should be playing in standing up for and defending the rights of LGBTQI people is something that the department is going to take on and take on immediately.”
