Thieves broke into the LGBT Center of St. Louis Tuesday night, breaking the front door to steal a television and gaming console.
Christine Elbert, on the board of directors for the center, says the break-in doesn't seem to be a hate crime despite the Center's prominence in St. Louis as a gathering and support space for LGBTQ people.
"It looks like it was just simply a random break-in," Elbert told the Vital Voice, St. Louis' LGBT magazine. "They came in, took what could be easily grabbed and left quickly."
Elbert told the Daily RFT she was particularly worried after a Tower Grove East queer couple was harassed at their home and online for having a rainbow-colored flag with stars and stripes.
See also: Bullies Target Queer Tower Grove Couple over Rainbow Flag; Post Address, Slurs on Craigslist
A postal worker delivering mail first noticed the glass door was shattered and immediately called police.
See also: Check out the Grand Re-Opening of the St. Louis LGBT Center
A television and Wii U gaming console were taken. There was no other vandalism apparent.
Volunteers and supporters have already begun brainstorming ideas to fundraise enough to replace the gaming system, especially since the center runs on donations and volunteer time.
The center boarded up their broken door and remains open.
Follow Lindsay Toler on Twitter at @StLouisLindsay. E-mail the author at [email protected].
