Call for 'start of new conversation' on hate crime
It's after a vigil was held 15 years on from the murder of teenager Michael Causer
A Merseyside charity says a new conversation has to start about hate crime - after a vigil was held in memory of murdered teenager Michael Causer.
The 18-year old was beaten to death 15 years ago in a homophobic attack at a house party in Huyton.
A man was handed a life sentence in 2009 for the murder of Michael.
The attack led to demands across the city for change and the first 'official' Pride celebration was held in 2010.
Landmarks across the borough, including Radio City tower, were lit up in rainbow colours last night and a new pavilion dedicated to Michael's has been unveiled at One Knowsley's HQ in Court Hey Park.
One Knowsley and the Michael Causer Foundation hosted the vigil - the first held in his home borough since Michael's death 15 years ago.
Racheal Jones, the Chief Executive of One Knowsley, which oversee the Michael Causer Foundation, said:
"When we talk about not tolerating hate within our borough and no more hate, it's got to start with kindness and kindness needs to come from the community. Educating our young people very early is key to that, so we're absolutely delighted the number of people who've turned out to this event and the amount of children and babies and little ones that we've got - it's wonderful.
"15 years later and we've made progress, but we're not there yet, there's so much more that we need to do and it's really important that we educate our children to be part of this conversation and the role that they can play in the future to ensure that we're not just talking about no more hate and hearing tragic stories but we've got a truly inclusive society that's very accepting of every individual who've been their authentic selves.
"This is about a change in behaviours, it's about awareness, it's about a community not tolerating hate within our communities, being accepting, being inclusive, allowing especially our young LGBTQIA+ community to be their authentic selves and to feel very safe and protected in being their authentic selves. This has got to be about the start of a new conversation in this borough.
"We're absolutely clear - we don't tolerate hate, we will not tolerate hate, but we need our wider community to be part of that moving forward and amplify that message loud and clear."
Steve Macfarlane, chair of the Michael Causer Foundation, said:
"If you're beginning to educate young people about just being accepting of everyone, that's massively improving society overall and clearly helps us with our ultimate goal of seeing the reduction and ultimately eradication of hate crime in all its forms.
"There has been over the last few years, particularly going from 2021 to 2022, an increase in hate crime - partly that is recorded hate crimes, so in a way it's encouraging to see people more able and willing to report hate crimes - but a worrying increase across the board be it race-related hate crime or sexual identity or more worrying, transphobic hate crime on the increase - all of these things we need to put a stop to and it's exactly why things like our event today, showing we can be accepting of everyone, is the right message to deliver.
"There should be no room for people being victimised or indeed mistreated - no room for that at all in our society.
"It's far far better for us to just say 'look, be who you want to be!'"