On Thursday, January 8, an unknown individual vandalized the Montrose Center, stripping and breaking the rainbow Pride flags from our fence and throwing them to the ground. The flags were raised in 2025 as a visible symbol of support for Houston’s LGBTQ+ community following the removal of the city’s rainbow crosswalk.
A police report has been filed with the Houston Police Department.
Most importantly, our team, clients, and visitors are safe.
“Whether this was an act of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment or a person experiencing a crisis, our community is too often a target of these actions,” said Avery Belyeu, CEO of the Montrose Center. “Let us be clear: we are not going anywhere. You can tear down a thousand of our flags and we will still show up every day to provide affirming care and a safe space for our community to connect, gather, and show our Pride.”
We know moments like these can bring up challenging emotions and our community are often victims of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments and bias. Our team is available to help—whether through individual counseling, support groups, or simply a space to connect.
The Center will host the second annual Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Community Summit on February 7–8. We are increasing our security presence for the event to ensure all attendees remain safe.
How You Can Show Your Support:
- Show your Pride and raise a flag
