Homophobia and Human Rights

 

Picture Credit: Scotsman / Edinburgh Evening News

 

In the summer of 2014, my partner and I, left our home of 7 years.

After a sustained period of homophobic vandalism and abuse, from local young people and other adults, we'd had enough. 

 

It is only now, having settled down into a new life, in a new home and and, in a new City, that I can write about the experience.  

At the time of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, I received a disturbing call from my partner.  He explained that a group of young people were giving him homophobic abuse in the street.  Later that week, he rang me again, this time distressed because his parent's car had it's windscreen smashed in.

I returned home, having finished up my volunteer run at the Games, only to find more abuse laying in wait.  This time, our home had been targeted by a projectile of some sort.  It had impacted the front door and was loud enough to be heard in every room of the house.

I ran outside to find the group gathered in the street, acting as if nothing had happened.

I started filming, expecting trouble.  I was not wrong, and I was ever grateful for the invention of the camera phone.

"Oi, you. Why are you filming us!", 

"Are you some kinda peedo or something?"

Then, one of the youths, removed his trousers and, bore his backside to me.

"Do you wanna beast me?"

To be graphic about it, this lad was asking me, if I wanted to have sexual intercourse with him, notwithstanding that he was only around 12 or 13.

It was then that the "adults", and yes, it is a deliberate use of speech marks, joined in.

One shouted from across her balcony, that I'd been filming the kids to warn other parents.

Another adult emerged from the property across the street.  He had covered his face and head with a hood.  He began shouting;

"beast, beast, beast".  

Now, for the sake of brevity, I will not go into every detail.  Suffice to say, in the days and weeks that followed, we had to call the Police on 20 occasions.

Eventually, some of the youths succeeded in smashing our bedroom window.

My partner was trying to sleep.

Can you imagine how scarey it is to experience a window shatter above your head at night?

 

Police Assistance

The local police at Drylaw Police Station were extremely supportive.

Within a few days, they had identified most of the young people involved and they were charged.

The only difficulty here, was that because the young people were all under the age of 16, they were entitled to anonymity.

They could not be arrested, or locked up, or sent before a Sheriff (judge), remanded in custody or have any of the other protective measures taken against them.

They continued their pattern of abuse and they knew they could, and would, get away with it.

All the police could do would be round them up, disperse the group, return the children to their parents and charge them.  The criminal justice file would then be passed onto the Children's Hearings System (Juvenile Justice).

I kept asking everyone, how is this fair?

I kept receiving the response, it is not fair, but there is nothing else that we can do.

 

Local Authority Assistance

The City of Edinburgh Council, seemed ambivalent to our plight.

We had previously contacted the local community safety team, and not heard anything back.

Again, we tried in vain to obtain immediate redress.

Again, telephone calls, emails and police requests for assistance went unanswered.

At a later stage, I did have a sit down with two social workers who were in charge of the welfare of one of the boys involved.  This conversation was helpful as it them kick started other measures.

 

Civil Remedies

As a Solicitor, I was aware that we were entitled to a civil remedy.  This is basic and fundamental human right.

However, the lack of information from the criminal justice system and the local authority made it impossible to take any form of legal action.

We were not allowed to know the identities of the young people, of any witnesses, nor allowed to see any documents, such as witness statements.

I tried at least 4 times to go into Court with what we had, however the processes involved, together with the lack of assistance, thwarted every effort.

 

The Future

We've now moved on, and are looking to our future together.

We are considering adopting children and have just adopted a new rescue cat.

Our new home, is safe and secure.  Our neighbours are great.

I will not stop my campaigning on either equality and human rights issues either.  I know, from this personal experience, why it's so important to have someone around to both question and challenge.

I am spurred on and undeterred.   

Never let it be said that there is no nastiness left in the world, nor that there is no need for "all these human rights".

The law is there for a reason, I only wish our public authorities were better able to enforce it.   
   

Edinburgh Fringe - What I want to say, but never will

Don't speak your mind, there may be consequences.  Keep your opinions to yourself, they are not valid anyway.  I am scared to say it, what if they reject me?  

Sex, pregnancy, coming out as Gay, child abuse, family, divorce, anger, hatred, love, self harm, depression, drugs and alcohol, anorexia, religion, cancer and death.  All Emotions and experiences building barriers between us.   

These are also some of the subjects sometimes found to be taboo.  To put it simply, we find it difficult to talk about them - finding tape put over our mouths. 

What I want to say, but never will, performed by the St. Ives Youth Theatre, is a collection of thoughts, emotions and experience compiled by Alan, an English teacher, of the things that young people in America really want to say and why they feel that they can't.

The thought that our young people feel unable to talk about what is on their mind, or that perhaps we as a Society are not prepared to listen is truly disturbing.  However, this show opens a window into their world and the constraining influences preventing - whether directly or not - the burst for self expression.  

Alan acts as the adult narrator, seeking to encourage each of the young people to come forward and tell their story.  He makes it clear that the show is not about him; which is why his character is taken on by a beautiful teenage girl - contrasted by the middle-aged, balding fat man - that we may expect.

One by one, the cast - all young people - dressed in theatrical black - reveal themselves.  However,  anyone can tell a story, what makes their tales unique is the controlling - even constraining - tape over their mouth.  The tape bears individual words and each word has meaning - bearing that back story - of the tale never told.

When the tape is peeled away, the young people speak; shout; cry and move all in dialogue with their fears.  We never see the reality.  We never know whether the cries are heard; real tears shed, gay children embraced or expelled; the pregnancy reaching child birth or the friendships continuing or ending.

This is the mystery of the performance.  It always leaves you wanting to ask a question and perhaps, you should.   

Of course, Alan admits that some of the stories, or things that young people want to say, lack context.  Some if it is just venting, frustration, hitting out or a need to release that built up angst.  The other stories are more important; abusive parents, self harming, not knowing what to do about an unexpected pregnancy or shouting, seeking and pleas for help.

Are we listening?  That is what Alan keeps reminding us.  Perhaps, more importantly, do we even want to listen?

Adults, whether a parent, guardian, priest or a friend are meant to be there to protect our children.  Who can our young people turn to if there is no one there to listen.

There are two sides to every story.  This is the subtle sometimes that Alan conveys too.  The adult figure may be willing to listen, but has the young person shut themselves off.  Perhaps, they do not understand their parents as much as they think?

This is what Alan advised me;

"What do you want to say but you know you never will?

To whom do you wish you could say it to?

Why won't you say it

This message is important.

Listen to me..."    

 Advice that you too, can take away.

A poignant performance, not best expressed in words alone.  See it and believe.

No five stars could do this show justice - it worth far more than that.

What I want to say, but never will is on at Sweet Venues, Grassmarket at 14.55.  The last performance is on Sunday 18th of August.  Tickets are available on-line from the Edinburgh Fringe box office, alternatively they can be purchased directly from the venue.    

For more information on the St. Ives Youth Theatre and the show itself, visit their website:
http://www.siyt.co.uk/wiwtsbnwe.html

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