Please help - vote for the Sophie Lancaster Foundation to get funding for it's good work.

[mushnelle]

Most of you will know the sad story of how Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend were beaten up in Bacup because of their appearance - Sophie died as a result of her injuries and her boyfriend will never fully recover from his injuries. The offenders were caught and imprisoned but their sentences seem light in comparison to what they did and the fact

Comments

[tails_redux]

I know, many of you like me will have put up with a lifetime of verbal abuse from ignorant strangers
Think I've had more stick for growing and maintaining a handlebar moustache - if I hear Sherlock Holmes once again, I shall politely let them know it was Dr Watson that had the whiskers - than I ever did for wearing makeup, dresses and other peculiar clothes. Irrespective, my choice and I cope with the consequences.

Anyhow, the way you've phrased 'have to put up with', it cries out victim culture. You, I, anyone, we always have a choice in how we deal with things - to stay silent, to walk away, to confront, to laugh it off, call the cops, whatever

[thatmakesmemad]

This argument has merit but I'd also point out that this is for expenditure in Lancashire so shouldn't be subject to mass voting by people who neither live in Lancashire or come from there.

[mushnelle]

well, this is one story that caught my attention and she could have easily have been one of our friends. And I guess, I do feel a little victimised sometimes, I don't go out of my way to look odd, I've always dressed a bit differently, that's how I feel comfortable. Stick me in a suit and I feel like a fake.

It's like the last of the list not to be added to the hate-crimes list, religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, but not cultural choice. There are probably better groups but I haven't come across them.