Hveragerði residents discover hateful graffiti defacing rainbow flag during Pride celebrations

This morning, residents of Hveragerði were confronted with hateful graffiti, including swastikas and other derogatory terms, painted on a freshly adorned rainbow flag. The town’s mayor, Pétur G. Markan, called it a stark reminder that the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights continues.

The rainbow flag was painted on the street in Skólamörk to celebrate Pride days, but by today, it had been defaced. In a Facebook post, Markan emphasized that such expressions of hatred remind everyone of the fundamental rights to freedom, recognition, and peace that belong to all individuals. He stated, “This only means one thing: the rainbow will be made larger and brighter – shining beautifully. This morning we were reminded that the fight continues.”

Markan also remarked that in Hveragerði, people who exhibit such behavior deserve to receive “flowers,” referencing a local song. He pledged to repaint the rainbow flag bigger and more vibrant than before, reinforcing the community’s commitment to inclusivity and resilience against hate.