MILTON – The scenic countryside in rural Saratoga County paints a sharp contrast to the disturbing ugliness that’s been occurring on Rowland Street. It all began when a private homeowner raised a rainbow flag on their roadside flagpole.

Ever since the flag went up, it’s been torn down multiple times. In addition, the steel flagpole has been bent.

“I think disappointment is my language,” said Cindy Swadba, of Saratoga Pride. “Anger comes in as well to be honest. I don’t think it’s political. I think it’s just not understanding who we are as people in the LGBTQ+ community.”

Swadba also believes it’s the current political climate that allows hate attacks against the LGBTQ+ community across the country.

Just yesterday in Missoula, Montana, vandals ripped down a rainbow flag, tossed it in a trash can, and then urinated on it.

“I wonder about my personal safety but for me it’s about the kids,” Swadba stated. “This is about young people struggling with who they are. I want them to know this is a safe community.”

That’s the message that was delivered just a few weeks ago at nearby Ballston Spa High School when students celebrated a rainbow flag raising on their campus.

But what about the message for those who commit hateful crimes?

“I’d like to tell these people who did this or what think it’s ok (to do it) that they probably already know people (in the LGBTQ+ community,” said Cathy Hoff, a Milton resident and ally of the LGBTQ+ community. “They probably already know at least one person in that community and get them to understand they’re no different.”

Thanks to a GoFundMe page, more than $700 has already been raised, money that will be used to purchase more rainbow flags and taller flag poles.