The annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) has been marked today by the British Humanist Association (BHA) with a call to remain vigilant against homophobic and transphobic hate crime.
Pavan Dhaliwal, BHA Head of Public Affairs commented: ‘On the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, we stand in solidarity with all those who suffer the physical and mental harm of prejudice, persecution and violence around the world, and deplore the inhumanity and irrational bigotry which motivates such hate.’
‘On the same day we are marking IDAHO, the hate crime statistics from Scotland were published showing figures for crimes motivated by prejudice based on Sexual Orientation and Transgender Identity. They show that there has been an increase of 46% of homophobic hate crimes in the last twelve months. This demonstrates that not only are more victims coming forward to report the crimes against them which is positive but also that homophobic hate crime is still very much a problem and that that we must take a zero tolerance approach to bigotry and prejudice.’
Notes
For further comment or information contact Pavan Dhaliwal, Head of Public Affairs at pavan@humanists.uk or on 0773 843 5059.
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.