Dozens of people in a Lancashire village have rallied behind a gay couple who were sent a series of homophobic letters complaining about them flying the Pride rainbow flag.
Yesterday (28 June) and estimated 200 people flocked to New Longton Post Office and Convenience Store, near Preston, to rally behind them after an anonymous letter told them to take their “revolting” Pride flag down.
The rainbow flag has been flying proudly above the village's post office in Station Road to mark LGBTQ+ Pride Month, which has run throughout June.
The owners, Daniel Cooper and Nathan Jones, said they have received four homophobic letters since taking over the business in February.
The latest targeted the flag they put up for Pride month, which is held in June, to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
The vile letter said: “Get that revolting flag down.
"This is a Christian village [with] three churches. Children pass by. What kind of morons are you?”
Daniel said he was “shocked and mortified” to receive the letters spouting archaic viewpoints on the LGBTQ+ community.
He said: “You don’t expect anything like that to come through your door, especially anonymously and through the post.”
Daniel said he was “overwhelmed” by the level of support shown at last night’s rally, which was organised by the people behind New Longton and Whitestake Facebook community group.
He said: “I am overwhelmed at how many people turned up.
"It just goes to show that love conquers hate and that there are so many more nice people out there than small minded ones.
“I have a thick skin and the letters haven’t deterred us from working here.
“In fact, it has pushed us to carry on and we have received so many messages of support this morning.”
One of the event organisers, Sarah, estimated that 200 people turned up last night – an impressive figure considering it was only organised on Sunday (26 June).
She said: “When the boys told me about the homophobic letters the villagers were disgusted by it.
“As the letters were anonymous, we wanted to try and send a message back and to show Nathan and Daniel these aren’t the views of the majority of our loving community.
“The rally was brilliant. I think the boys were really made up and overwhelmed at the support.
“Everyone was really happy and I could hear friendships being made and people arranging to meet up.
“It was just a really nice and positive event which I hope sent a really clear message that outdated views and hate won’t be tolerated.”
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