Homophobic Attack in North Belfast

The surviving partner of a gay married couple has been targeted by a group of thugs.  This attack was not isolated, indeed it has been reported that the home of the couple was targetted more than 20 times.
In a statement made to the BBC News channel,  Supt Paula Hillman said police were aware of a number of reports made by a resident in north Belfast since August 2013.
“These reports vary in nature and investigations have been conducted and local neighbourhood police officers have been in contact with and continue to liaise with the victim,” she added.
“As with any incident reported the victim is updated and signposted to additional support services where applicable.”
In 2013, at the launch of Anti-Homophobia Week at the city hall, it was revealed that  anti-gay violence in Northern Ireland is massively underplayed, with eight out of 10 attacks not reported to the police, according to research.  A report by the Equality Commission revealed that nearly half of the gay community in the province (44%) are unaware that the law can protect them.
This current, homophobic attack highlights just how serious we must take these attacks, and why we ust report them to the authorities and also to our own LGBT monitoring groups who will support you and your family through the crisis.
This was a cowardly attack, on a vulnerable person who is grieving for his partner, the instigators of this homophobic crime must be brought to justice in the courts.
 
Further reading:

• BBC News – Homophobic attacks ‘force grieving man from Belfast home
• The Guardian – 80% of homophobic attacks in Northern Ireland not reported – study
• News Letter – DUP rejects blame for homophobic attacks