Homophobia Forces UK Gay Couple to Move
Two members of the Facebook group Gay and Proud recently had trouble in their old neighborhood, and were forced to move, after much hassle getting the authorities to help them out. Photos at the link.
Gay couple flee home after abuse
A disabled gay couple from Kent have left their home after suffering weeks of homophobic and anti-social abuse.
Keith Stepney, 53, and John Mead, 42, said eggs were thrown at their home in Northfleet, windows were smashed and graffiti was daubed on the property.
Mr Stepney described it as a "living hell" and said he believed they were targeted because of their sexuality.
Kent Police said three youths had been arrested. Two were released without charge, while one was given a warning.
Mr Stepney said their flat was pelted with eggs on a daily basis and rocks were thrown at their windows, with one smashing a glass unit which then killed one of their pet birds.
He said the couple were also constantly verbally abused in the street by both youths and adults from their neighbourhood.
"The only thing that we can think that started it off was when we shouted at them because they were pushing through our conifers, walking on the plants, and pulling plants up," he said.
"Then after that it started with one egg, then an hour later another egg, and then we had stones thrown at the window.
"I believe we were targeted because we're a gay couple."
He added: "We feared for our lives... we just couldn't move outside unless someone was there with a car."
The couple told BBC South East that the abuse started on 28 July, and in total they logged more than 100 incidents of abuse and anti-social behaviour over a six-week period.
But they claimed police only started to take their case seriously after they made more than 20 telephone calls to officers over two days.
In response, Ch Supt Paul Brandon, area commander for north Kent, said police had worked closely with the couple and deployed neighbourhood patrol teams.
"Kent Police always takes reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and will react, provide resources and tackle the problems faced by people," he said.
Housing points
The couple also claimed Gravesham Borough Council at first refused to help them with re-housing because they were not their tenants.
Mr Stepney said they were eventually given a council application form to fill in but they were not given enough housing points.
Gravesend council said they offered the pair emergency housing at an early stage, but said the couple refused because of their special needs.
The couple have now been moved to another housing association property outside the borough.
Gay couple flee home after abuse
A disabled gay couple from Kent have left their home after suffering weeks of homophobic and anti-social abuse.
Keith Stepney, 53, and John Mead, 42, said eggs were thrown at their home in Northfleet, windows were smashed and graffiti was daubed on the property.
Mr Stepney described it as a "living hell" and said he believed they were targeted because of their sexuality.
Kent Police said three youths had been arrested. Two were released without charge, while one was given a warning.
Mr Stepney said their flat was pelted with eggs on a daily basis and rocks were thrown at their windows, with one smashing a glass unit which then killed one of their pet birds.
He said the couple were also constantly verbally abused in the street by both youths and adults from their neighbourhood.
"The only thing that we can think that started it off was when we shouted at them because they were pushing through our conifers, walking on the plants, and pulling plants up," he said.
"Then after that it started with one egg, then an hour later another egg, and then we had stones thrown at the window.
"I believe we were targeted because we're a gay couple."
He added: "We feared for our lives... we just couldn't move outside unless someone was there with a car."
The couple told BBC South East that the abuse started on 28 July, and in total they logged more than 100 incidents of abuse and anti-social behaviour over a six-week period.
But they claimed police only started to take their case seriously after they made more than 20 telephone calls to officers over two days.
In response, Ch Supt Paul Brandon, area commander for north Kent, said police had worked closely with the couple and deployed neighbourhood patrol teams.
"Kent Police always takes reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and will react, provide resources and tackle the problems faced by people," he said.
Housing points
The couple also claimed Gravesham Borough Council at first refused to help them with re-housing because they were not their tenants.
Mr Stepney said they were eventually given a council application form to fill in but they were not given enough housing points.
Gravesend council said they offered the pair emergency housing at an early stage, but said the couple refused because of their special needs.
The couple have now been moved to another housing association property outside the borough.