Homophobia and Transphobia
Homophobic and transphobic hate crime will not be tolerated in Lambeth and Southwark, Local London Assembly Member, Florence Eshalomi AM has said. Her comments coincided with the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, which aims to tackle violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTQ+ people. Cumulatively, there were over 2,200 incidents of homophobia and transphobia in the capital last year.
There were 2,094 incidents of homophobia reported in London in 2017/18, a slight rise of 2.5% on the previous year. This included 172 in Lambeth and 128 in Southwark. Transphobia has fallen by 13% in the capital, but 174 incidents were recorded across London last year.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has advocated a “strict zero tolerance approach to hate crime”. Subsequently, the Metropolitan Police have set up a dedicated online hate crime unit to tackle online incidents.
Local London Assembly Member, Florence Eshalomi AM, said:
“It is horrendous to think that people in our community are being subjected to this disgusting abuse. In both Lambeth and Southwark, we pride ourselves on being a diverse community, in which all are welcome.
“My message to those on the receiving end of any abuse is to always seek help and do not suffer in silence. I know that local people will join me in saying we won’t tolerate any homophobic or transphobic abuse in our borough.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Notes
- Hate crime data can be found here;
- Details of the Mayor’s online hate crime unit can be found here;
- Florence Eshalomi AM is the London Assembly Member for Lambeth and Southwark.
For more information please contact London Assembly Labour Group senior press officer,
Alison Orlandi, on 020 7983 4952. Number not for publication