Liverpool shows its pride as annual gay festival Homotopia opens

Nov 4 2009 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

HOMOTOPIA, Liverpool’s annual gay arts and culture festival, launched last night with a show of solidarity from the city’s authorities.

Representatives from Merseyside Police and Fire and Rescue service showed up in uniform alongside city council representatives including leader Cllr Warren Bradley for the event at the Novas Contemporary Urban Centre.

The recent homophobic attack on trainee PC James Parkes has added a poignant twist to this year’s event, as city residents, businesses and organisations have rushed to show their support to the gay community.

Artistic director Gary Everett said: “Homotopia is a celebration of the talent and creativity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community.

“Our campaign slogan this year is Homotopia Not Homophobia, and after the recent violent hate crime against another young man, just because of his sexuality, this is an opportunity for us to show how the arts can be used as a tool to fight ignorance.”

Police hope to use events like Homotopia to build relations and increase reports of hate crime, which the Force is aware can often go unreported.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable John Young said: “Undoubtedly, it is an under-reported issue.

“We need people to let us know what is happening so we can do something about it.

“In 2007-08, we had 123 reported gay hate crimes. Last year it was 174, which is clearly not the full picture.