Work underway to repair graffitied murals in Manchester's gay village
Murals of LGBT+ icons, including Alan Turing and RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Divina De Campo, were targeted with homophobic graffiti.
Last updated 28th Jun 2021
Manchester's LGBT+ community says it stands defiant after homophobic graffiti was sprayed across murals on Canal Street.
Over the weekend, abusive slurs were written across artwork of Alan Turing and Drag Race UK star Divina De Campo.
Divina told us whilst she felt some sadness, she wants to create a conversation to improve education: "There's an element of we're going to stand up and say 'yes we are still here, yes we are proud, yes we are fabulous, yes we're going to continue being fabulous' - but there's also an element of there needs to be some kindness.
"This person clearly has their own issues they need to work through. And actually, we could help to do that."
Divina believes this hate attack against the community can also be used to increase awareness and spread understanding.
"Hopefully we can keep letting people know what you've been told about how you should and have to live isn't necessarily true.
"Don't hurt anybody else. That's the golden rule."
Efforts are already underway to restore the damaged murals.
Manchester City Council are also working police to go through the CCTV footage.