Arson Destroys Home Of Homosexual Couple In Clayton North Carolina; The Two Men Were Targeted With Anti-Gay Harassment For Over A Year

WRAL-TV reports that Johnson County authorities, in Clayton, North Carolina, are investigating a fire that destroyed the home of gay couple who had been victims of harassment for more than a year. The couple, who wished to remain anonymous out of fear for their safety, are staying in a motel after fired engulfed the home in the early hours of Friday. The couple was not at home at the time of the fire, and a neighbour called 911. The fire is being investigated as arson, said Johnson County Sheriff Steve Bizzell, adding that it does not appear to be connected to a string of suspicious fires in the area. A neighbour, who wishes to remain unidentified for fear of retaliation, says that there have been at least three separate incidents of anti-gay harassment at the home. A note with derogatory, threatening language was left in the mailbox, an anti-gay slur was written on the house with a marker, and the tires of a car parked in the garage were slashed. “For this to happen here ... it’s heartbreaking,” she said. “I can’t even put into word how horrible it is for them.” She added “I felt sick to my stomach. I felt so sorry for the two gentlemen. They lost everything. We do believe that this is a hate crime.” Sheriff Bizzell confirmed that his office was aware of two of the three incidents, but would not confirm which two, and would not confirm it they are related to the arson investigation. He said that there are no suspects at this time.