A state court has ruled that a Goffstown, N.H., man violated the New Hampshire Civil Rights Act by removing a pride sign from a public intersection.
The Hillsborough County Superior Court found that Frank Hobbs, Jr., interfered with a local woman’s right to express her support for the LGBTQ+ community when he took down the sign and that he damaged it because of bias, according to Attorney General John M. Formella.
In late May 2024, a woman placed a sign that read “Goffstown Pride 2024” and “Love is Love” in a busy intersection in town. The sign depicted two hands forming a heart in the colors of the gay pride and transgender pride flags, according to court documents.
The woman, identified only as P.B., founded and is involved in a local community group that supports the LGBTQ+ community.
A few days later, P.B. noticed the sign was missing. She replaced the sign, planting a new one in the same spot, and set up two trail cameras to capture any activity. The next day, the sign disappeared once again, and the cameras showed a man walking on the sidewalk with the sign, according to court documents.
The man, later identified as Hobbs, told law enforcement under questioning that he believed the sign was a “pedophile sign.” He also said town officials told him that he could remove signs he found offensive.
A violation of the Civil Rights Act can result in a maximum penalty of $5,000. The Attorney General’s Office has requested a civil penalty and a restraining order to prevent further violations.
“This case reinforces a core principle of our system: all Granite Staters have the right to express their views free from unlawful interference,” said Formella.
A hearing to determine which penalties Hobbs will incur is scheduled for Dec. 1.
