LGBT Rainbow Banner Stolen From Church In Menifee For Second Time

MENIFEE (CBSLA.com) — A church in Riverside County says for a second time a rainbow banner it displayed to show its support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community has been stolen.

The Menifee United Church of Christ located on McCall Boulevard said in a news release Sunday that its first rainbow banner was stolen back in January.

Following that theft, the church had the banner replaced, which was stolen yet again.

"The rainbow banner is our way of saying we welcome everyone," said Senior Minister Bill Freeman.

"We welcome and celebrate every age, sex, race, class, faith, nationality, sexual orientation, and gender identity," he added.

The church says it suspects the theft is the work of those who oppose the LGBT community.

A deputy with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department confirmed to CBS Los Angeles the church did make a report of a theft.