HUMAN rights campaigner Peter Tatchell is to launch a five-year plan to tackle homophobic bullying of young people in Liverpool.
The Anti-Homophobic Bullying Strategy will be unveiled at St George’s Hall on Monday, which is also the International Day Against Homophobia (Idaho).
The strategy – one of the first of its type in the country – is backed by city church leaders, representatives from the lesbian, gay and bisexual community and the National Union of Teachers.
It was drawn up after research carried out in 2006 showed the need for coordinated action for school pupils in Liverpool.
Seven out of 10 young lesbian and gay people said homophobic bullying affected their studies and one in 10 bullies cited someone’s sexuality as a reason for targeting victims.
Cllr Joe Anderson, the new leader of Liverpool Council, said: “Any form of prejudice or bullying is completely unacceptable and this plan shows we are committed to tackling the issue of people being picked on because of their sexuality.
“In Liverpool, we are all too familiar with the tragic consequences of homophobia following the murder of Michael Causer and the attack on trainee police officer James Parkes.
“These rare but tragic cases have shown clearly there is a need to make sure we support gay and lesbian young people who are being bullied, and educate others it is wrong to discriminate against them.”
