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GAY BELFAST NEWS FOR MARCH 2004
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Homophobic crimes double in Northern Ireland (28 March 2004)
Attacks on lesbian and gay people in Northern Ireland have doubled in the last year, according to the province's police force. The high increase of attacks are mirrored in other hate crimes against racial minorities, which are up 60%.
The numbers were confirmed at a Belfast Policing Board briefing yesterday and have led to the PSNI's effectiveness being called into question.An increase in attacks follows a recently launched campaign to clamp down on hate crimes in the region. More than £770 million will be spent on policing as part of the campaign, which hopes to improve the situation for minorities living in Ulster.
A number of alerts have been given about the crisis in Northern Ireland in recent months, with regards to the violence aimed at lesbian and gay people. One report last year claimed that homophobia had become "normal and justifiable" for many people living in the region, with 80% of lesbian or gay people having suffered verbal or physical harassment.
The knock on effects of this were made clear in a subsequent Department of Education poll, which revealed that nearly a third of young lesbian or gay people in Northern Ireland had attempted suicide because of ongoing persecution and bullying. Conducted through Youthnet, the survey also found that 26% of young lesbian and gay people self harmed as a way of dealing with the pressures surrounding their sexuality.
The report made stark reading, Youthnet director Dennis Palmer said at the time, adding that it reflects the "isolation these people are facing here". Police have now been told to make sure they reduce the number of attacks, and stick to the targets set out in the campaign.
Crack down on rising levels of homophobic attacks in Northern Ireland (08 March 2004)
Police must crack down on rising levels of homophobic attacks in Northern Ireland, the chief constable has been told. Such incidents are to be tackled as part of a £774m strategy for running the Police Service of Northern Ireland over the next 12 months. The latest Policing Plan, outlines a list of targets which Chief Constable Hugh Orde must meet.
The Northern Ireland Policing Board has urged the force to crackdown on homophobic attacks, Mr Orde has also been told to monitor the number of homophobic incidents. Acting assistant Chief Constable Judith Gillespie said police were determined to bring the perpetrators before the courts. She added: "Any crime is unacceptable but crimes motivated by prejudice or where the victim is vulnerable in any way are to be deplored. The police are working very hard in partnership with other agencies to protect those members of our community who are least able to protect themselves and to bring to justice those who carry out such crimes."
Board Chairman Professor Desmond Rea said the plan was an important step forward. He added: "The community is now at the heart of developing the policing priorities for the year, both in this plan and through the local planning process right across districts.
Kube turns queer after gay buyout (04 March 2004)
The Kube (formerly The Parliament Bar) has gone back to being a gay bar and nightclub. The premises on the Dunbar Link, Belfast was one of the best gay venue in the city when it was the Parliament, but changed its name, image and clientelle over a year ago to become an upmarket straight restaurant and club. However, the club has recently been bought by two gay people who promise to re-invent it as one of the best clubs for non-heterosexuals in Belfast. To visit the Kube Website: Click Here.
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