THEGAYUK

Tag: Homophobia

The latest news about homophobia across the UK and the globe.

  • No Hazel-E we won’t forgive you for your dangerous homophobia

    After writing that we should burn in hell, Love & Hip-Hop Hollywood star Hazel-E is asking for forgiveness.

    Hazel E star of the Love & Hip-Hop Hollywood TV show is apparently asking her gay fans to forgive her after saying  “burn in hell just like God said in the bible”!

    She made the comment in a comment on her boyfriend’s already homophobic Instagram post, which proclaimed that he said he hoped all gays would die and go to hell.

    Why did this all come about? Well, some troll apparently accused her boyfriend, Rose Burgundy of being gay and he was not happy about it. Taking to Instagram he wrote, “You really want to know how I feel about gays so bad well here you go I hope all gays die and go to hell…”

    Hazel-E then commented under his post saying, “Burn in hell just like God said in the Bible!”

    TMZ gave the star a platform to explain herself and her remarks.

    In a video, she says that she didn’t think her comment was a good idea and that she relied on the LGBT community for supporting her career. She also said that she didn’t mean the entire community – just that one troll.

    She said, “OMG, my life this hair, this makeup, this glam, my world would like, fall apart without the LGBT community”

    Watch as she asks for forgiveness and then tries to explain her comment away.

    Ermmm… No

     

  • Oxford students banned Christian Union from Freshers’ fair over homophobia concerns

    Students at Balliol, one Oxford University’s most prestigious colleges, banned the Christian Union (CU) from its Freshers’ Fair, citing homophobia and neo-colonialism as its reasoning.

    The CU was banned from attending and recruiting student members at the college’s Freshers’ Fair this year after organisers said that their presence could cause harm to communities “struggling to feel welcome in Oxford.”

    President of the JCR, Hubert Au, wanted the event to be a “secular environment.”

    Au wrote,  “Christianity’s influence on many marginalised communities has been damaging in its methods of conversion and rules of practice, and is still used in many places as an excuse for homophobia and certain forms of neo-colonialism”.

    The decision was reached through discussions with the JCR Welfare subcommittee.

    In the end, a general, multi-faith religious stall was allowed at the fair on the understanding that no representatives from any of the faith societies staffed it. There was a vote by students at the college, on Sunday that said the decision was a ” violation of free speech and religious freedom.”  The motion prohibited the barring of official religious societies from future freshers’ fairs.

  • DILEMMA | How do I get my homophobic family to accept my partner?

    DILEMMA | How do I get my homophobic family to accept my partner?

    What happens when you finally meet, fall in love and marry the love of your life and your family just won’t accept?

    Dr Dannii Cohen reveals how you can make even the most stubborn of a homophobic family turn to acceptance.

    Having the approval of your parents means a lot to (almost) every child.

    So wanting them to approve of the other most important person in your life is natural.
 The story of parents not approving of their children’s partner (whether in straight or LGBT relationships) is as old as time and there truly is no quick fix solution.

    Dr Dannii Cohen suggests that you include your partner in as much as possible, including putting your family into situations where they are forced to interact with your partner… but not too often.

    Do not: feel you have to take sides, force your parents or stir arguments.

    Do: Insist your partner needs to be included and stand up for him/her.

    Find ways to try and get conversations going, take some cues and advice from this article: http://yourzengrowth.com/asking-giving-opinion/
    For the rest, only time can heal this one. Human emotions cannot be forced.

    Have you got a dilemma you’d like us to answer? Click here to visit our dilemmas page.

  • Homophobic bullying doubles in Manchester schools in two years

    There has been a shocking surge in homophobic bullying in Manchester’s secondary schools.

    Homophobic bullying doubles in Manchester schools in two years

    A report released by Liberal Democrat, John Leech shows a shocking increase in homophobic and transphobic bullying in Manchester’s high schools. Nearly 700 incidents were recorded in the last six years. John Leech called the increase “upsetting”.

    The report also highlights that there were just 8 reports of homophobic bullying in 2010/11 to 160 in 2015/16.

    The former Manchester MP of ten years submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) enquiry to every high school in the city and has said it is “depressingly clear” that homophobic and transphobic bullying is here to stay.

    Of the 42 high schools in Manchester, 36 responded to the legal request. Mr Leech also raised concerns at the number of schools who had reported zero incidents in the last five years, saying that schools may be too worried to come forward with the real numbers.

    Of the 25 schools that did respond, a worrying trend showed incidents doubling in the last two years, from 76 in 2012-13 to a staggering 160 in 2015-16.

    Reports of bullying ranged from name-calling to physical assault.

    John Leech, who led the successful campaign to pardon war hero Alan Turing, said: “Bullying of any kind is completely unacceptable but to still have homophobia and transphobia rife in Manchester’s schools is deplorable.

    “I have fought for LGBTQ+ rights my whole life and these numbers are really, really upsetting to see.”

    Leech designed the Bill and led the campaign to pardon Alan Turing, whom he said was a “hero”, and whose conviction for homosexuality he slammed as “utterly disgusting and ultimately just embarrassing”. He went on to secure the pardon for the 50,000+ other men convicted of similar offences and led the campaign to outlaw homophobic chanting at football matches.

    Now Mr Leech has turned his attention to what appears to be a concerning spike and consistent rise in teenage bullying. In 2010-11 there were just 8 reports but continued to rise steadily to 160 in 2015-16.

    The reports highlights the staggering increase in the number of reports of homophobic and transphobic bullying in Manchester’s secondary schools.

    The information for the year 2016-17 only covers until January but there were already 134 incidents making it set to be the worst year yet. In total there were 666 reported incidents of homophobic and transphobic bullying in Manchester’s high schools from 2010-17.

    But that doesn’t cover the full story. 17 schools either refused to answer the FOI Request or reported zero incidents – something Mr Leech raises significant doubt over: “Whilst this is concerning, it is much better that schools are transparent with their reports. Schools that came back with 0 reports can only be misleading in what is clearly a worrying trend across the city. We have to be realistic about the issue here and sweeping it under the carpet helps no one.”

    In an emotional speech at the Liberal Democrats conference in Bournemouth the former MP added: “We have absolutely no right to claim we live in a decent society when this kind of behaviour is still rife in our schools.”

    Mr Leech pledged to work with schools, LGBTQ+ groups and local communities to further promote equal rights and said that he would commit himself and his party to “virtually anything” to tackle the growing problem in Manchester’s schools.

  • Two Belfast men are subjected to a “homophobic attack”

    Police in Belfast are looking for information in connection with what they say was a homophobic attack in the early hours of this morning.

    Two Belfast men are subjected to a "homophobic attack"

    Police in Belfast have said that two young men were homophobically assaulted in the Beechmount area of Falls Road early Sunday morning. Detectives are appealing for information from anyone who may have been in the area or heard anything.

    The two victims were reportedly attacked near the Beechmount area of Falls Road at around 2:50 AM on Sunday morning.

    It is believed that the alleged assailants walked towards the Donegal Road/Whiterock area.

    If you have information regarding this matter please contact police on 101 quoting reference No 390 of 17/09/2017 or confidentially ring independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

  • Three teenagers convicted of violent homophobic assault on train

    Three teenagers who pleaded guilty to attacking two passengers on a train because of their sexuality have been jailed.

    Three teenagers pleaded guilty to Violent Disorder against two boyfriends

    They were sentenced to six months in Prison

    Told to pay the victims just £100 in compensation.

    The three male youths, two aged 16 and one aged 17, were each sentenced to six months in prison at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on 14 September, after admitting violent disorder and, in one case, possession of an offensive weapon.

    In the early hours of 15 February 2017 two men, who are in a relationship, boarded a train from Reading to London and fell asleep. The three defendants, who cannot be named for legal reasons, got on at Hayes and Harlington.

    One of the 16-year-old defendants walked through the carriages and spotted the victims asleep and resting on each other. He went back to inform the other two.

    The trio then returned and engaged the victims in a conversation before attacking them. They were punched and kicked several times. One was stamped on whilst the other was hit over the head with a glass bottle. The sustained attack left both victims with extensive bruising to the head and face and one lost two teeth.

    Following a British Transport Police investigation, the three defendants were charged and later pleaded guilty to violent disorder. One of them also pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon.

    Hatred motivated by homophobia

    The couple show the results of their horrific attack. The sustained attack left both victims with extensive bruising to the head and face and one lost two teeth.

    The CPS argued that the attack was motivated by hatred of the victims’ actual or perceived sexual orientation and asked the court to treat the incident as a homophobic hate crime. This was accepted and each defendant received a four-month prison sentence increased to six months because of the hate crime element. They were also each ordered to pay £100 in compensation to each of their victims.

    The prosecution also successfully applied for one of the victims and another witness to give evidence from behind a screen to allay their fears about being targeted or intimidated.

    Lauranne Middleton from the CPS said: “This was a violent assault and we successfully argued that it was fuelled by the defendants’ homophobia.

    “Where prosecutors have evidence that an attack was motivated by hostility towards someone’s sexual orientation, they will ask the court to consider this as an aggravating factor which deserves a harsher sentence.

    “This successful prosecution demonstrates how seriously the CPS treats such cases and our commitment to bringing offenders of hate crime to justice.”

  • Two men wanted over a homophobic assault in London

    Police in London have released efits of two men they wish to speak to following a homophobic assault on two men in Lambeth.

    Two men wanted over a homophobic assault in London
    Police have released these e fits of two men they would like to question in connection to homophobic assaults on two men in Lambert, London.

    Detectives are appealing for witnesses after two men were assaulted in Lambeth in what detectives are treating as a homophobic hate crime.

    Officers have today released E-fits of two men they wish to identify and speak with.

    Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at around 00:50hrs on Sunday, 30 July to Windmill Walk, SE1 to a report of two men injured following an assault.

    The victims, aged 53 and 49, suffered facial injuries and were taken to a south London hospital for treatment. They have since been discharged.

    “Motivated by homophobia”

    The men told police that they were approached by a group of four males who launched an unprovoked attack which appeared to be motivated by homophobia. The suspects were all described as white and wearing hooded tops. One of them spoke with a strong Northern Irish accent.

    The assaults, in which one of the victims lost some teeth, are being treated as a suspected hate crime.

    An ambulance was called at 12.50 AM on Sunday, 30 July to Windmill Walk, SE1 to a report of two men injured following an assault.

    Detective Constable Matt Cockroft, from Lambeth CID, said, “This was a shocking attack on two men who were simply walking along the road.

    “I would urge anyone who recognises either of these men to contact us. I would also like to speak with anyone who witnessed the assault but has not yet to come forward.”

    No arrest made

    There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

    Any witnesses and anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or Tweet via @MetCC.

    The Met have long since recognised the impact of hate crime on communities and the hidden nature of this crime, which remains largely under-reported. The MPS stands together with policing partners, colleagues and groups to investigate all hate crime allegations, support victims and their families, and bring perpetrators to justice.

    We would appeal to anyone who witnesses or suffers hate crime of any type to immediately report it so that action can quickly be taken and catch those responsible.

    Hate crime can be reported through 999 in an emergency, by dialling 101 in a non-emergency, directly at a police station, through the MOPAC Hate Crime app or through community reporting methods such as Tell MAMA, Galop, or the Community Security Trust [CST].

  • Police are searching for this man after a “homophobic” attack outside a Newcastle pub

    Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to, after a cleaner was attacked outside a Newcastle city centre pub.

    At around 8.45AM on the morning of Monday, July 17, police received a report that the 36-year-old man had been assaulted by a male passing the Union Rooms pub on Westgate Road.

    There has been a verbal altercation between the pair during which homophobic abuse was hurled at the cleaner. He has then been punched in the face.

    Victim left with broken teeth and needing stitches

    Enquiries are ongoing into the assault that left the victim with broken teeth and stitches in his bottom lip. It has also been recorded as a hate crime.

    Now police are releasing an image of a man they want to speak to about the assault. He could help officers with their enquiries.

    The man, or anyone who recognises him, should contact police on 101 quoting log 225 17/07/17 or by emailing the OIC on 8231@northumbria.pnn.police.uk.

  • Six Ways to Stamp Out Homophobia in the Workplace

    Looking at the stats, it’s clear that homophobia in the workplace is still a problem – and one that many of us will have encountered.

    One in five LGBT+ people have experienced bullying from colleagues or customers in the past five years, one in five wouldn’t feel confident reporting homophobic bullying in the workplace, and in the UK, 2.4 million people of working age said that they had witnessed verbal homophobic bullying at work. Adding to that,  a massive 26 percent of LGBT+ people are not open to their colleagues about their sexual orientation – so in this age where we have rights that are verging on equal, something’s clearly amiss. In fact, The Human Rights Campaign – a US lobby group, found that a huge 62 percent of millennial LGBT+ graduates went back into the closet when starting their first job – something I was guilty of, and something that can get the careers of LGBT+ people off to an uncomfortable and unpleasant start.

    That in mind, we’ve put together a list of 6 Ways to tackle homophobia in the workplace. Given that most of us are spending 40+ plus hours a week there, it’s more important than ever that the workplace is somewhere LGBT+ people can feel free to be themselves and to contribute openly and equally to the working world.

    1. Know Your Rights

    Homophobic discrimination and harassment is illegal – and has been since 2003. There’s no doubt that a lot of people don’t see their comments as discriminatory or harassing, but if you encounter homophobic abuse, tell someone – speak to your manager or, if they’re the problem, speak to the HR team or someone you trust higher up in the company. Awareness is important – and if they know it’s a problem then chances are training can be put in place to make sure that this doesn’t happen again, either to you or your future colleagues. If you’ve left a job due to discrimination or harassment, then speak to your local Citizen’s Advice – they can offer advice on what to do next, and whilst legal action may be the last thing on your mind, they can advise if they think it something worth pursuing.

    2. Be Open

    By being open I don’t mean arriving for your first day at work riding a rainbow unicycle and singing “I Am What I Am”, but more being yourself in the workplace and taking part in conversations with your colleagues in a way that you’re relaxed with. There’s always going to be questions about your home life when you’re new to a job – and it’s only going to be easier for you if you’re open from the off. That fear of coming out is often far worse than the result – and given that it’s likely you’ll already have done it once, expressing that to your colleagues in a manner of fact way should hopefully be a walk in the park

    3. Deal with Banter

    A macho work culture can be fun at times – but it can also be damaging for those who don’t fit into that stereotype. Much like at school, offensive phrases are often flung around with little malicious intent behind them, but they’re still symbolic of a culture that needs to change. Be straight with people – if you don’t like a comment or phrase, have a direct word with them. Most people will respect that, and if they don’t, your manager or HR partner should be able to advise further, and potentially play a role in re-educating your colleague. Cultures like this can only be changed by raising awareness – so it’s important to say something if you’re not altogether happy.

    4. Explaining the benefits

    Being comfortable and secure in the workplace isn’t just something that will make you feel better – it’s been proven that being able to be yourself in the workplace can hugely increase productivity. It could be worth mentioning this if you feel like you’re feeling homophobia in the workplace, as companies will want the best possible work from their employees, and stamping out homophobia will go a long way to ensure that. Adding to that, companies with diverse workforces can attract a wider range of customers, as well as improving ideas and drive by being full of contrasting and complementary backgrounds, experiences and situations. Making the workplace more colourful can only be a good thing – bosses should be selling and celebrating the diversity of their employees.

    5. Don’t be Alone

    The community can be a big part of gay life – and the workplace is no different. It can all depend on the size of your company, but there’s a strong chance that someone else there will be LGBT+. Like straight media often assumes, being gay doesn’t mean that you’re immediately going to be best friends or lovers, but having shared experiences in the workplace can help. If there’s enough of you, you can look at starting up an LGBT+ network. I’ve attempted to do this in the past and found that there’s a lot of help available out there – including many straight allies who were immensely encouraging. Even if your LGBT+ network just goes for a monthly drink in the pub together, it can be a huge source of support for those inside the group, as well as providing vital visibility for those on the outside.

    6. Change the Culture

    Sounds like a big ask – but encouraging training and education in the workplace can make a huge difference. Corporate Social Responsibility is becoming a huge thing for many companies – and ensuring that LGBT+ visibility and training is part of this channel is vital. Speak to HR and see if there is a “CSR” manager or advocate in the company who you can chat to about training – these things not only benefit companies hugely but also, it’s worth pointing out, can serve as excellent PR. If there’s no CSR person or no training plan available, why not write some yourself? The stats are easily found out there, and organisations like Stonewall (linked at the top) provide fascinating and relevant information on LGBT+ people in the workplace. It’s something I’ve done it in the past – and it was an eye-opener not just for my colleagues, but for me as well – so it’s worth putting the time and effort in – not only can it help stamp out homophobia, but showing a sense or proactivity can in the workplace can only ever be a positive thing.

    The most important thing to remember is that if you’re experiencing homophobia in the workplace you’re not alone and that you have every right to feel happy and secure in every area of your life. If you feel like change isn’t happening, then don’t stay in a job that makes you unhappy – but make sure your bosses know exactly why you’re going. Visibility is vital – these problems only make themselves known when we’re open and honest about them, and use them to drive change forwards in order to make the workplace open, accessible and safe for all.

  • COMMENT | What about straight victims of homophobia?

    Why is it so often the case that the struggle for equality can feel like one step forward and three back?

    In the UK, equalities minister Justine Greening has announced plans to allow trans people to change their gender more easily, with less intrusive medical assessments, as part of a welcome shake up of equalities legislation. It’ll also be easier for gay men to give blood. This is good news, and updates to the Gender Recognition Act have to be welcomed.

    On the other side of the Atlantic, our American friends have taken a few steps back, after President Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military, proving that pointless and nasty political tokenism is alive and well in the west. In-keeping with Trump’s consistency as a president thus far, the legislation is poorly thought-through, with no obvious route to implementation. Hopefully, it will be quickly struck down.We can’t afford to be sanguine about gay rights in the UK, and although most of us agree there is still some way to go, there are areas of disagreement over what to prioritise in moving towards equality. Because of my own experiences, one area I am passionate about is addressing the reality that homophobia affects more than just gay people. Bear with me on this if it’s not something you’ve previously considered. It’s great and right that we can report homophobic abuse to the police and have it taken very seriously (speaking from experience), but the story doesn’t begin and end there. Homophobia isn’t self-contained.

    “…My parents received an ultimatum from one of my siblings:

    boycott the wedding and disown me,

    or have their grandchildren removed from their lives.

    When my husband and I announced our engagement and intention to marry, my parents received an ultimatum from one of my siblings: boycott the wedding and disown me, or have their grandchildren removed from their lives. My parents attended my wedding and are no longer a part of those grandchildren’s lives. Yet my father’s thriving business was taken over by his homophobic child, and their wedding and a deposit for their first home was lovingly paid for out of my parents’ pockets. Prior to my husband and me tying the knot, my parents played a full and active role in that child’s life, and even more so once the grandchildren arrived, who adored their grandparents.

    At first, they tried mediation. Their requests were ignored. They were so desperate to be reunited with their grandchildren that they used their life savings and pursued their last legal option, taking their case to the family courts. There, they found that the organisation Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) doesn’t take matters like homophobia into account in assessing what is best for children. As long as children are being looked after at home, then matters like their parents’ homophobic views and actions hold no weight. Similarly, grandparents have few, if any, access rights to their grandchildren. Most cases like this are as a result of acrimonious divorce, and grandparents on one side or the other invariably lose. Ultimately, in this instance, the judge repeatedly commented that she considered it a profoundly sad case and was aware of the gross injustice my parents were fighting, but was powerless even under these circumstances, with homophobic motivations on the other side, to grant my parents direct access, offering indirect access instead.

    Believe it or not, the consolation prize was a better outcome than my parents had been briefed to expect. A different judge may have dismissed it outright.

    Parents get to decide who can and cannot see their children, and bring them up in a homophobic household if they wish.

    One major concern here though: what if a child in such a household is gay? There is a reason suicide rates in gay people is higher than average, and family hostility almost always plays a major part in such tragic cases.

    It is clear to me that my parents are the victims of homophobia which has, in their old age, destroyed their happiness. They have reached the end of the road and now have to accept the outcome. This strikes me as a grievous wrong, and I hope many readers feel the same.

    So what of the indirect victims of homophobia? I would be interested to hear others’ views, especially if anyone has known a remotely comparable situation. Whilst the homophobia my husband and I have suffered from within my family has been hurtful, it has been easy, painless and for the best to simply sever contact with the sources.

    My parents’ suffering goes on. They are the real victims of homophobia here, not me.

    For fear of further reprisals, the author wishes to remain anonymous, but please post your comments below.

     

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

  • Man left with serious facial injuries after homophobic assault

    A young man has been left with “serious” facial injuries after a homophobic hate crime in the Scottish city of Glasgow.

    Man left with serious facial injuries after homophobic assault

    A 22-year-old man in Glasgow was attacked whilst walking with a friend on Kersland Street near to Great Western Road in the early morning on Wednesday. His friend was allegedly subjected to homophobic abuse by another man who they did not know.

    The attack comes just a week before Glasgow Pride which is due to take place in the city centre.

    When the victim tried to intervene he was reportedly attacked by the suspect. The victim was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where his injuries were treated.

    The suspect is described as white and in his early 20s and wearing a black top with black tracksuit bottoms.

    He was accompanied by a woman in her early 20s, 5ft6 in height and with shoulder length blonde hair.

    They were last seen walking east along Great Western Road.

    Detective Constable Stuart McDonald from Drumchapel CID said,

    “This despicable individual not only subjected an innocent man to homophobic abuse, but also assaulted his friend when he came to his aid.

    “This type of behaviour is absolutely unacceptable and I would appeal to anyone who either witnessed the incident, or saw the man and woman described above, to please get in touch.”

    Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at Drumchapel CID via 101 and quote incident number 0268 of Wednesday 9th August 2017.

    Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence.