Residents, councillors, council staff, police and community leaders have joined together to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
The Progress flag was raised at an event held outside the Civic Centre in Morden today (Friday). This worldwide celebration, held on 17 May each year, recognises the right to sexual and gender expression free from violence. The theme for IDAHOBIT this year is: No-one left behind: equality, freedom and justice for all.
Merton Plus is the new support group which is working to ensure that the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community in the borough are heard. The group is working closely with the council, the police, health services, youth services, Age UK Merton and Merton CIL to provide advice and support for people across the community.
One in ten LGBTQIA+ residents reported experiencing a hate crime in the last year, but we know that under reporting means that this number will not fully reflect the true extent of discrimination experienced by our LGBTQIA+ residents.
Safer Merton, a partnership between the council and the police, hold hate crime advice surgeries on the second Wednesday each month at Merton Civic Centre, where people can seek support and find out how to report hate crime. There is also the national, free 24/7 Stop Hate Helpline on 0800 138 1625. Plans are currently being developed to establish safe zones for the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as places to report hate crime in Merton.
Council Leader, Councillor Ross Garrod said: “Everyone is welcome in Merton and valued for who they are. We are proud to have such a diverse population, including many LGBT people, who should always be made to feel safe, whether they live, work or are visiting Merton. We will not tolerate any prejudice or hate aimed at LGBTQIA+ residents. I urge anyone who has been subjected to a hate crime to come forward and report it and so that they can receive any support that they may need.”
Anyone who has experienced a hate crime can find sources of support and how to report it at: merton.gov.uk/HateCrime
Notes to editors:
Find out more about Merton Plus, the new support group for the LGBTQIA+ community in Merton here: www.merton.lgbt