Watch a previous NBC4 report on Pride flag theft in Columbus in the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Pride flags, rainbow crosswalks and other LGBTQ+ symbols were stolen or vandalized this summer in more than 40 U.S. cities, including Columbus.

A NBC News tally named Ohio as one of at least two dozen states where LGBTQ-themed decorations were targeted during Pride month in June. The attacks were carried out throughout both metropolitan cities and rural communities, and across the Northeast, Midwest, West Coast and South.

The tally noted several incidents in Ohio, the first in early June when thieves were caught on home security systems stealing Pride flags from front yards in Columbus’ German Village neighborhood. Resident Normal Hall told NBC4 at the time they were disappointed given German Village’s history of inclusivity.

“A van pulled out, the kid got out, went up and ripped the flag off and took it and ripped off the pole, left the pole in the middle of the street and then they drove,” Hall said.

Several other German Village homeowners reported similar occurrences to police, like Tyler Mason and Anthony Meyer who said their Pride flag was stolen the same night Hall’s was stolen. Mason and Meyer’s home security camera saw the suspect hopping the fence of their property and then jumping on the porch to grab the flag.

“I’m a veteran, an Eagle Scout,” Meyer said. “Like, a flag, in general, it’s who you are.”

Later that week, Jackie Sansavera, the owner of German Village bar Rumours, came forward and said the bar’s flags were also stolen. Sansavera said three people in a silver minivan were caught on camera driving past the building only to stop, hop out and steal eight Pride flags hanging on the bar’s fence.

Beyond Ohio, the tally said that “liberal enclaves” like New York City have also experienced targeting. At the Stonewall National Monument, the site of the 1969 uprising considered to be the turning point of the modern gay rights movement, Pride flags were ripped up and thrown to the ground twice in June.

Hostility toward LGBTQ+ decorations came as the Department of Homeland Security issued a warning in May that foreign terrorist groups could target Pride events domestically. The State Department issued a similar warning about terrorism taking place at Pride events abroad in the weeks leading up to June.

Then, in July, a LGBTQ+ bar in Columbus’ Old North neighborhood came forward and alleged they were victims of a hate crime. Cora Helton, the owner of Bossy Grrls Pin Up Joint, told NBC4 that a man came inside the bar yelling homophobic slurs, broke the glass door and assaulted a bartender. 

“He started throwing around some homophobic slurs and saying some other concerning things and was asked to leave, refused to leave. At this point, it was clear that he was going to be a danger,” Helton said.

Staff tried to deescalate the situation by leading the mean outside, Helton said. The man then punched a bartender, who is a transgender woman, before walking down the street. About 15 to 20 minutes later, he returned. When the bartender locked the door, the man proceeded to headbutt it and kick the door until the glass broke.

“Maybe he didn’t choose our venue because we are a queer space. Maybe he would have gone into any other venue and been bigoted there, but he was here and he said these things to us,” said Helton. “So, it’s really important to me that it’s not just assault, it’s a hate crime.”