‘Disheartening and frustrating’: Vancouver firefighters inundated with hateful comments and messages

The union that represents Vancouver Fire Fighters has called out “hateful and homophobic” comments and messages they’ve been receiving since posting a photo of a rainbow fire truck on social media.

Recently, Vancouver Fire Fighters showed their support for Pride by sharing the photo, however, the response was far from supportive. The original post appears to have been removed.

This isn’t the Pride Month kickoff post we envisioned, but it’s the one we need to share.

Recently, we posted a pic of one of Vancouver's fire trucks wrapped in a rainbow flag & since then we have been inundated with hateful & homophobic comments & messages. #vanpoli

🧵 1/5 pic.twitter.com/NScYGHSoIz

— Van Fire Fighters (@IAFF18) June 6, 2024

“This isn’t the Pride Month kickoff post we envisioned, but it’s the one we need to share,” the organization said in a post to X.

“While disheartening and frustrating, it only underscores the very reason such a truck exists and why celebrating Pride is so essential. There is still much work to be done to achieve true equality and acceptance for all.”

The firefighting service added that they support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and that part of their job is to protect and serve everyone, “regardless of who they love or how they identify.”

“This situation only strengthens our resolve to support you,” the organization added.

“And the terrible irony is that our 2SLGBTQIA+ members who face this kind of discrimination would continue to risk their lives for the very same people writing such cowardly comments.”

One Vancouver City Councillor chimed in on the social media platform in response, asking people to shower the Vancouver Firefighters with love and "drown out the hate." A few other organizations also shared support for the post.

Let’s shower @IAFF18 and @VanFireRescue with love Vancouver and drown out hate. 💦♥️💙💜💛💚Thank you Van fire fighters for celebrating #PrideMonth andsupporting our city’s #2SLGBTQIA community. 🏳️‍🌈 https://t.co/rYiX0h3Z1q

— Sarah Kirby-Yung 楊瑞蘭 (@sarahkirby_yung) June 6, 2024

Thank you @IAFF18 for your unwavering support of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. 🌈❤️

Hate has no place in Vancouver. We stand with you and our 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Together, we can build a city where everyone feels safe, accepted, and proud.#vanpoli #PrideMonth https://t.co/vAmbeRYlTl

— Green Party of Vancouver (@VanGreens) June 6, 2024