South West Greens join calls for new hate crime law
Published: 5 Oct 2007
Greens among 1,000 calling for tougher laws on incitement
A 1,000-strong petition calling on the Government to enact new laws specifically outlawing hate crimes perpetrated against gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people is being backed by South West Green Party.
“The lack of specific legislation tackling homophobic and transphobic hate crime is yet another form of official discrimination against LGBT people,” said Ian Martin, spokesperson for South West Green Party.
He said: “LGBT people in the south west face a barrage of discrimination – from employers, landlords, and, all too often, homophobes.
“The Government must harmonise hate crimes legislation so that homophobic and transphobic crimes are dealt with on a par with racist crimes.
“In particular, this would outlaw the performance, sale, promotion and broadcasting of music and other arts which incite hatred and violence towards any oppressed group.
“We also campaign for police forces to adopt and implement action plans on homophobic and transphobic hate crimes,” added Ian.
The petition comes just a few months after a major survey of Britain’s secondary schools found homophobic bullying ‘almost epidemic’ nationwide.
The survey of 1,145 young people nationwide was conducted by the Schools Health Education Unit for Stonewall, the charity working for equality for gays, lesbians and bisexuals.
It discovered that almost two thirds of lesbian and gay pupils (156,000 children) have been victims of homophobic bullying.
The survey included a quote from a 17-year-old secondary school pupil from the south west who stated: “People call me 'gay' everyday, sometimes people kick me and push me, they shut me out of games during school gym and they steal my belongings.”
The petition calling for a new law to tackle hate crimes has already garnered more than 1,000 signatures, and runs until November 3rd. It can be viewed in full, and signed, at: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/LGBT-Hate-Crime/
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Notes:(1) http://www.stonewall.org.uk/media/current_releases/1793.asp
