Members of the Warwickshire Pride volunteer team were homophobically abused around 100 times at a Stratford Upon Avon market over the weekend.
A volunteer team from Warwickshire Pride reportedly sustained a prolonged homophobic, verbal attack by members of the public at a Stratford Upon Avon market on Saturday morning.
THEGAYUK.com has learned from volunteers that members of the team were told that their sexuality was “disgusting” as well as being told that an LGBT+ market stall “had no place in Stratford”.
The team were there to raised awareness and funds for 2018’s Pride event in August.
The incidents began at 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM when the pride team’s decided to pack up and leave. The incidents have been reported to Warwickshire Police.
“Upsetting and Distressing”
Speaking on behalf of Warwickshire Pride, Daniel Browne said, “Although what happened that day has been deeply upsetting and distressing, it has not deterred us from continuing to work for LGBT+ people in Stratford. If anything, we are more determined to ensure that LGBT+ people in Stratford feel safe and able to be who they are. For years, LGBT+ people in Stratford have told us that they do not feel safe there due to hate comments and looks they receive from people. We now fully understand why LGBT+ people in Stratford feel that way and will be doing all we can to ensure this trend does not continue.
“As for our next steps, we will be contacting Stratford’s MP, Nadhim Zahawi, who has pledged his support for Warwickshire Pride via Twitter. We will also be contacting Stratford District Council, Stratford Town Trust and the company that runs the market to discuss the incidents and what can be done to prevent this from happening in future.
“Furthermore, we are also organising an equality rally to take place in Stratford-upon-Avon on Saturday 21st April. More details will be made available soon, but we encourage all LGBT+ people and allies to join us as we peacefully say no to hate and yes to equality in every way, as indeed these incidents show that while we have almost full equality in law there is still a long way to go until LGBT+ people are fully accepted socially.
MP calls out homophobia as “outrageous”
The MP for Stratford Upon Avon, Nadhim Zahawi took to Twitter reiterate that homophobia would not be tolerated, writing, “This is outrageous and should never happen anywhere. Please make sure your team documents what took place. Important that this abuse is never tolerated. I will work with you and @warkspolice to make sure perpetrators are found & brought to justice.”
This is outrageous and should never happen anywhere. Please make sure your team documents what took place. Important that this abuse is never tolerated. I will work with you and @warkspolice to make sure perpetrators are found & brought to justice.
— Nadhim Zahawi (@nadhimzahawi) March 10, 2018
Warwickshire Pride is an annual event that takes place in Leamington Spa. This year’s event will take place on the 18th August 2018.
