Rev Gordon Bannon and the Ascot Vale congregation are strong supporters of the rainbow flag and what it represents.
By Marina Williams
A Uniting Church in Melbourne’s show of solidarity with the LGBTIQA+ community has sparked years of repeated vandalism and abuse, but also resilience.
Since 2022, the Ascot Vale congregation has flown the rainbow pride flag as a public expression of welcome and inclusion — a stance reflected in its commitment to social justice and Christian compassion.
Minister Rev Gordon Bannon says the decision was in direct response to the negative framing of Christian views on same-sex marriage that continued after the 2017 referendum, even within the Church.
“Most media coverage at the time focused on churches and religion condemning gay marriage,” Gordon says.
“We wanted people to know there are churches where love is affirmed, and inclusion is real.”
But that visible support has drawn hostility from some parts of the community.
Forty-nine flags have been torn down, burned or destroyed, with flagpoles bent or snapped.
“These are prejudice-motivated crimes … often disguised as religious indignation,” Gordon says.
“Some have tried to talk rationally, and I’ve responded, but others have been openly hostile.
“I’ve been called slurs or yelled at from cars.
“It’s framed as religious indignation, but often it’s just pure prejudice.”
While most offenders remain unidentified, one man was arrested after a passerby intervened, yelling him to stop as he tore down a flag.
“He shouted abuse back, but she took a photo of his vehicle number plate and he was arrested and charged,” Gordon says.
Jeremy Oliver, LGBTIQA+ communities portfolio manager with Victoria Police, says all people should feel safe in communities.
“There is absolutely no place for this type of concerning behaviour in our society,” he says.
CCTV has recorded masked individuals returning repeatedly, often in groups.
In one instance, a shredded flag was left at the base of the church sign before Easter in 2024.
“The most logical place was to drape it across the cross,” Gordon says.
“If the cross means anything, it’s God’s closeness to those who suffer.”
The rainbow flag is prominently displayed at Ascot Vale Uniting Church.
Originally, flags were mounted on church signage, two to four metres off the ground.
Even after community fundraising enabled a cherry picker to raise one flag higher, it was destroyed overnight.
Eventually, with Victoria Police support, Gordon approached Moonee Valley City Council, securing $1000 towards a vandal-resistant flagpole, which the church topped up.
The new five-metre-high, tamper-proof pole has withstood damage attempts.
“The police have been excellent,” Gordon says.
“Despite flags only costing $20, they have taken these attacks seriously because of the message behind the crimes.”
However, the abuse hasn’t stopped at property damage, with church members receiving threats through social media, letters, and in person.
Some messages are religiously framed, condemning the church’s stance, Gordon says.
“Too often, religious communities have led with fear and bigotry instead of love,” he says.
“But our theology is inclusive — centred on God’s love, justice and compassion.”
Despite some opposition, community support remains strong.
One local woman, not affiliated with the church, gifted a new flag after seeing it had been taken down.
“She said, ‘thank you for your ministry. Every time I drive past, seeing the flag brings tears to my eyes’,” Gordon says.
That flag is flying today.
Gordon describes the Ascot Vale congregation as diverse, with queer and trans members, and includes people who are still navigating their views.
“Not everyone agrees, but there’s respect,” he says.
“The church is committed to being a safe place.”
Flying the flag, he insists, is a spiritual act.
“It feels like a ‘Jesus thing’ — standing with the persecuted,” Gordon says.
“LGBTIQA+ people have long been excluded by religion just for loving differently.
“We want to say: not everyone feels that way, and that’s why we persist.”
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