MPS Support Statement for Outburst UK – Black LGBTQ Pride Festival

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is committed to making London safer for everyone, to meeting the needs of its citizens and providing a service to all of our communities. We recognise and acknowledge that within some communities people are marginalised for a range of reasons relating to their sexual orientation and/or cultural background and that people from these communities have historically not always had the confidence to engage with the MPS, particularly as victims of crime.

In recent years however, there have been many positive changes in line with our commitment to ensure we are engaging with all our citizens.  We continue to expand the numbers of our LGBT Liaison Officers across Boroughs and build on local arrangements put in place to ensure our pan-London services reach communities that need us most.  We continue to develop initiatives to improve the investigation of homophobic/transphobic hate crime.
 

It gives me great pleasure to support this year’s Outburst UK – Black Pride Festival on behalf of the MPS.  We are proud to be part of an event that celebrates the contribution of individuals and organisations to our capital city and to the UK. It is also an opportunity for us to reflect on progress made and stand united for future challenges.

We hope you take the opportunity to meet and talk to some of the Metropolitan Police officers and staff attending this year’s Outburst Festival and I wish you all a safe and enjoyable Pride. 

Annette WIGHTMAN
Superintendent
Diversity and Citizen Focus Directorate
Metropolitan Police service

Message of Support from Councillor Lorna Reith

Haringey Council is proud to support Outburst UK and is particularly pleased that the organisation has chosen to hold its Black LGBTQ Pride event here in the Borough.  Haringey is renowned and celebrated for its ethnic, religious and cultural diversity and it is only proper that sexual diversity is celebrated equally.

As little as fifty years ago homosexuality was outlawed in most countries of the world.  Those who identified themselves as LGBTQ not only encountered persecution, which would sometimes lead to their death, but prosecution where they were variously labelled as dangerous sex offenders, paedophiles and of being afflicted with ‘psychopathic personalities’.  Homosexuality is now legal in most parts of the world and some governments enacted laws banning discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, as well as affording those who identify as LGBTQ the right to marry their partners and adopt children.  

Ongoing debates within our faith communities, highlighted by the recent wranglings within the Anglican Church, show that society still has some way to go before we rid ourselves of all aspects of homophobia.  These legal changes, however, do not alter people’s attitudes with homophobia being one of the last acceptable forms of discrimination in the social sphere.

It is through greater education and awareness delivered by events such as the Black LGBTQ Pride Festival that these attitudes can be changed.  Voluntary organisations, such as Outburst UK, which seek to nurture pride and unity within the black LGBTQ community are to be commended for their tireless work.  The Council is eager to work more closely with Outburst UK wherever and whenever it can.

I am immensely proud that Haringey’s Mayor, Cllr Alan Dobbie, is able to attend and open the Black LGBTQ Pride festival 2008.


Cllr Lorna Reith
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Involvement