Councillor Slams Liverpool for glossing over Report into Homophobia : Gay News Website

LIVERPOOL, July 23, 2007  –  A Liverpool City Councillor said today that he was “appalled” at the findings of the Stormbreak Research, a report from the Council on homophobia and homophobic bullying in the city.

The full report has only been seen by a handful of officials and councillors.  But a presentation was given to selected officers and councilors last week.

Councillor Steve Radford, the Leader of the Liberal Party group on the City Council said this morning that no data was given in the presentation, such as the finding that 14% of gay, lesbian or transgendered households had been attacked in recent years by people identified as neighbours.

“I was truly appalled that a major piece of research – showing alarming levels of homophobic bullying at school, lack of confidence by those bullied to seek or obtain support, abuse and attacks on gay, lesbian and transgendered people in their homes – were all glossed over into a presentation suggesting six areas for progress, without recognising the high levels of homophobic endemic throughout the county,” he said.

And today, he has written to the council’s Chief Executive, Colin Hilton, requesting that a copy of the Stormbreak Report is sent to all councillors on the cities Housing and Children's Services Committees.

Cllr Radford emphasised in his letter that he wanted the full report, and “not a neutered version”.

Also at last week’s meeting, ge was told that a draft report on the pedestrianisation of a part of the city to create a “gay quarter” was with Executive Member Councillor Flo Clucas.

“I think this title alone suggests an ignorance of the fact there is already a gay community and quarter in the city,” said Cllr . Radford, who is also co-chair of the the Liverpool Gay Business Association.

“It is also sending the wrong signal to current gay businesses that their investment is somehow insignificant.  The concept a council can create a gay quarter sends me alarm bells about top down policies.”

Mr. Radford is also seeking a copy of this draft report which, he says, “has been drifting through the system for a lengthy period again does not inspire confidence”.

■ Note:  The Liberal Party is not the same as the governing Liberal Democrat Party