Blow the whistle on gay hate

UK Home Secretary Alan Johnson has launched Stonewall’s new plain English guide for victims of anti-gay hate crime today. Blow the Whistle on Gay Hate explains what homophobic hate crime is, why hate crime should be reported and what to say when reporting it.

Launching the guide this afternoon in central London, Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: “Gay people have the same rights as everyone else to live in peace and security. Homophobic incidents have no place in a civilised, decent society. There are no extenuating circumstances.

“I welcome this excellent plain English guide that encourages gay men and lesbians to report hate crimes. It sends a clear signal that there’s no place in a civilized society for such hatred. Gay people should have the same right as everyone else to justice, to live their lives without fear.”

One in five gay people have been subject to homophobic hate crimes or incidents in the last three years, according to polling conducted for Stonewall by YouGov. Six gay men have been the victims of murder or attempted murders indentified as homophobic in Britain in the last 18 months.

For more information, visit the Stonewall website.