Flowers at the corner of Huyton Brook and Tarbock Road in Huyton for Michael Causer who died after his attack _320
CHURCH leaders will be urged to back a campaign against homophobia after Merseyside teenager Michael Causer was allegedly killed for being gay.
An extraordinary meeting of Liverpool’s Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Network forum at Quaker Meeting house heard calls for religious figures to support them in the way they have stood up for other minority groups in the past.
Liberal Party Cllr Steve Radford said: “Sometimes it does take a situation like this to wake up the broader community.
“The only one so far that has been silent has been the faith leaders who have been very robust in the past.
“We as a body need to ask them to take a lead on homophobia.”
The suggestion won a unanimous support from members. A vigil is to be held in St John’s Gardens, and members were firm that faith leaders should take part. A march through Liverpool could also still be organised as well as a separate demonstration in Knowsley.
However, the community chose to hold back on finalising details of either until the Causer family had given their consent.
Labour Cllr Paul Brant took the matter to yesterday’s Education and Skills Select Committee.
He pledged to ask for school governors to be invited to liaise with the city council regarding measures schools can take in respect of LGBT people, and their pupils, to end discrimination and bullying and also promote equality.
Liverpool City Council is already considering opening a book of condolence at the Town Hall. Knowsley has already opened several at council one-stop shops in Huyton, Kirkby, Prescot and Halewood and also Whiston library.
JAMES O’CONNOR, 19, of Reeds Road, and Gavin Alker, also 19, of Woolfall Crescent, will appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, August 12, in relation to the incident.
Merseyside Police have indicated their grievous bodily harm charges will be upgraded.
The third man, Christopher Douglas, 19, of Page Moss Avenue, Huyton, appeared before magistrates charged with witness intimidation.
