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Liverpool Pride boss slams homophobic knife attack

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One of the organisers of Pride in Liverpool has condemned a homophobic knife attack on two men in the city, describing it as "terrifying".

The victims were attacked by a boy with a knife in a "disturbing" hate crime in the Anfield area of Liverpool on Saturday 22nd June 2019, police said.

According to the BBC, he is believed to be about 12 years old and was with two others aged 12 to 15.

John Bird, co-founder of LCR (Liverpool City Region) Pride Foundation, said it was "scary" young people are "capable of such hatred".

He told BBC 5 live that Liverpool was "culturally very rich" and described the attack as "terrifying... [when] someone as young as 12 is holding a knife and shouting homophobic slurs".

"The age of the people involved just hammers home education is vital," he said.

"All the leaps and bounds we have had in the UK - marriage and adoption rights... and 50 years on from the Stonewall Uprising... You would think we were past all this."

'Shout down'

The men were assaulted as they walked down Manningham Road at about 9:20pm in the evening.

Det Insp Tracey Martin of Merseyside Police said three boys on bikes began by making "homophobic insults" before one, described as being approximately 12 years old, attacked the men with a knife.

"A male of 12 shouting homophobic abuse is [really] disturbing but even more [so] the fact he is carrying a knife," she added.

One of the victims suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries to his head and neck. Both are in hospital.

At the time of writing this article (27/06/19), no arrests have yet been made and any witnesses to the attack are urged to contact Merseyside Police.

The Pride in Liverpool event will take place in next month (July 2019) and Mr Bird said the Pride Foundation would be working closely with Merseyside Police on event safety.

"Our theme this year is come as you are... and we will continue with that message and shout down this kind of behaviour," he added.

Warwickshire will be also holding their annual Pride event on Saturday 17th August 2019.

The popular community event, organised by Warwickshire Pride is an all-day event takes place in the Royal Pump Room Gardens, Leamington Spa.

At a recent rally in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire Pride Chair, Dan Browne highlighted the concerns surrounding the increase of hate crime affecting LGBT+ people in Warwickshire.

Browne mentioned the importance of Warwickshire’s ‘Pride event’ and he explained to a large crowd of supporters who attended the rally that pride events were originally established as a protest against inequality and hate towards LGBT+ people and today it is still a protest.  

Warwickshire Pride is a popular event locally and it attracts thousands of people who attend the event.

Any person wishing seeking to know more about the Warwickshire Pride event can visit the pride website site: http://www.warwickshirepride.co.uk/

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