Calls For Law Change Over Rise In Homophobic Hate Crime In London
For the 12 months leading to October 2019, 3,111 hate crimes based on sexual orientation were reported in London. These features mark a 55% increase in five years.
Shaun Bailey, the Conservative candidate for mayor of London, “called for new laws and tougher sentencing for homophobic attacks,” reports ‘BBC’.
"Too many Londoners feel unsafe on our streets," he said.
"As someone who has experienced racial hate both on the streets and online, I stand in total solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, many of whom suffer horrible and unacceptable abuse.
"The current mayor has failed to act to protect the most vulnerable in the city from the scourge of hate crime.”
A spokesperson for mayor Sadiq Khan said: “Everyone should be concerned that disgusting hate crimes of all kinds are on the rise nationally.
“It is too simplistic to think that creating a new offence will solve the problem of bigotry and hate - and homophobia as an aggravating factor can already be taken into account when sentencing.
"In London, Sadiq is investing a record £6m tackling hate crime in all its forms.”
Other candidates have joined the call for a law change.
Sian Berry, London mayoral candidate for the Green Party, said: "Greens have been calling for an end to the hierarchy of hate crimes for years, so crimes motivated by a hatred of sexual orientation, disability or gender reassignment are treated equally to those against race and religion.
"There is a clear link between rising levels of hate crimes and thoughtless, inflammatory language by public figures like former mayor of London Boris Johnson, which makes bigots think they can get away with criminal behaviour.”
Liberal Democrat candidate Siobhan Benita said: "Making homophobic hate crime an aggravated crime in line with racial and religious hate has been our policy for many years.
"It's ironic that one of the most shameful instances of homophobia came from the last Tory mayor of London, Boris Johnson.”
The London mayoral election will be held on 7 May 2020.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Shadiq Khan Calls Out Boris Johnson’s Past Homophobic Comments
100 Celebrities, LGBT+ Charities, Activists Call on Boris Johnson to Continue Gender Recognition Act
Labour Mayors from Across UK Write Open Letter Urging Reforms to Gender Recognition Act
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