Youth Commission member Sam reflects on Pride month and tackling discrimination
For the past 52 years, June 1st – June 28th has been dedicated to showing support to the LGBTQ+ Community. Of course, people have been campaigning for Gay Rights since 1924 but the first port of acceptance was Sunday 28th June 1970 in New York, during the first Pride Parade.
Over the past 52 years, police views and opinions have changed, some for the better and some worse… Back in 1967, the Sexual Offences Act was introduced by the UK Parliament. Many officers disagreed with this Act; many were on board with change.
Still to date, we have homophobic comments in the police as well as on the streets.
We even hear about young people’s parents throwing them out the house for being who they want to be.
The North Yorkshire Youth Commission do not discriminate nor are we homophobic and want to listen to all ways the police can be improved when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community.
Maybe the police can support young people about homelessness due to being LGBTQ+ or worried about what anyone would believe or treat them.
Having police and law support to make society a better place and more accepting of humanity being how individuals want to be is really important.
We hear of comments in schools saying “Ewwwww, your gay. That’s disgusting” or even in the streets “Gay people have no right to exist”.
It needs to be kept control of and shown it is not acceptable for these comments as well is a violation of the Updated Crime and Disorder Act 1998. It is also a hate crime.
The North Yorkshire Youth Commission are here to listen and support, track opinions and ways young people can influence the Police Force for the better, whether it be acknowledging homophobic actions or comments said between police behind closed doors.
We’re here to listen and help.
Written by Sam, a member of the North Yorkshire Youth Commission.
Priorities set by the Youth Commission
- Discrimination
- Online Safety
- Relationships with Police and Authorities
- Drugs, Gangs and County Lines
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Gender Violence and Safer Streets