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cross from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, two houses have been painted rainbow by their owner. The property, called Equality House, sits opposite the church known for anti‑LGBTQ. The article “Sending a Pointed Message Through Real Estate” in Luskin’s Public Policy section covers this.
These houses are part of a trend of “spite houses” – irritate a neighbor. The trend stems from America’s zoning rules, allowing vendettas to manifest in form.
Professor Paavo Monkkonen says hostile architecture feels distinctly American. “A house is more than a building; it’s a symbol,” he notes. Urban design prioritizes, creating plazas and benches to keep groups away.
