Vandals deface mural to gay American playwright Lynn Riggs with the word ‘abomination’
Lynn Riggs is best known for writing the play that inspired the beloved musical 'Oklahoma!'
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Vandals write ‘abomination’ on a memorial mural dedicated to American playwright Lynn Riggs.
Best known for writing the play Green Grow the Lilacs – which inspired the iconic musical Oklahoma! – and throughout his career his wrote up to 21 full length plays.
A rainbow mural of the celebrated playwright was painted at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center in Oklahoma but earlier this week, the mural was vandalised with the word ‘abomination’ written across it.
Writing on Facebook, the Oklahomans for Equality group said: “On Monday, July 22nd, at 11:14 p.m. the Lynn Riggs Memorial Mural at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, the home of Oklahomans for Equality, was vandalized and under Oklahoma law, this is not a hate crime.
“Lynn Riggs, a celebrated, gay playwright, was not silenced during his lifetime and we will not be silenced during ours.
“This is why we continue to fight and speak up against hate.”