TOMBALL, Texas -- Twenty-year-old Scout Register is openly gay and proud.
After the horrendous terror attack at an Orlando gay club June 12, where 49 people were killed and 53 others injured, Register decided to show his support by putting out a gay pride flag on his front lawn.
He never imagined what would happen next.
"I put it out right there on the curb where the American flags usually go," said Register.
Less than 24 hours later, the flag had been stolen.
"I went up and bought another pole and stuck it right back out there," said Register. "You can take my flag, but you're not going to take my pride."
Hate would strike again, however.
A day later while his sister watched from an upstairs bedroom, suspects, believed to be teenagers, drove by and took that second flag, too. They returned it hours later.
"They threw the flag out and were yelling gay slurs and other profanities, honking and screaming," said Register.
When he got a closer look, his heart sank. The flag had been cut and burned. Pictures of the act started circulating on social media, but the vandals went one step further.
"When I saw the swastika, that put some fear in my heart for my son," said Beth Register, Scout's mom.
Scout is choosing not to be afraid. He turned to Facebook to spread his story, one that’s been shared more than 800 times.
"This kind of backfired for them," Scout said. "Now I feel stronger than I did before."
It's proof that love always trumps hate, Scout said.
"This just makes me want to put out as many flags as I can," he said. "You're not going to stop me."
The family filed a police report with the Precinct 4 Constable's Office, which is investigating this case. If you have any information about this case, call the constable's office.