Green Party Rep Targeted With Homophobic Abuse

A Green Party representative has claimed he was recently targeted with homophobic harassment.

North Belfast Green Party representative Malachai O'Hara said he was verbally abused on his way to work on Wednesday morning, 08 November.

He said: "As I was heading to work, I was the victim of homophobic harassment. This was at the junction of Peter's Hill and North Street.

"A young fella aged 18-20 in the back seat of a car rolled down his window to tell me I had dropped something.

"At first I thought this was pleasant and courteous and I checked my coat and bag and pockets, but didn't seem to have misplaced something. A woman, I presume his mother, rolled down the window to also inform me I had dropped something.

"After I realised that nothing of importance was missing, I dismissed it and thanked them and proceeded to cross at the lights in front of their car. The young man then shouted out the window that I had dropped my 'Gay Card'.

"I immediately retraced my steps to ask him what he meant by this. He wound his window up to avoid my challenge. I challenged his mother, who began to apologise for his behaviour, while he mouthed in the back of the car.

"As the lights changed and they drove off, he wound the window down to threaten to knock my balls in.

"I have been an out LGBTQ activist for over a decade. I managed health services at Ireland's largest LGBTQ charity and I know the damage that casual and unchallenged homophobia causes. I was not letting this go."

He has reported the threat to the LGBTQ Advocate, based at The Rainbow Project, which supports victims of homophobic or transphobic crime.

He is also waiting for an appointment to meet with the police.

Mr O'Hara said he wanted to encourage any member of the public who experiences similar issues to report and seek support.

He continued: "I have received death threats before – I have experienced street harassment and threats of violence. This incident was water off a duck’s back in terms of my experiences as an out LGBTQ activist.

"But my experience also meant I knew the importance of reporting these incidents.

"Too many LGBTQ people shrug off casual homophobia and transphobia because they don't deem it important enough or they are not convinced anything will be done.

"It's hugely important that every incident and crime is reported. It allows police and politicians to understand the true picture of everyday harassment experienced by LGBTQ people."

(CD)