Community Hate Crime Vigil at the Rainbow Hub

The city’s Community Hate Crime Vigil took place outside the Rainbow Hub on St James’ Street, Brighton on Wednesday, October 16.

Hosted by the LGBT+ Community Safety Forum (LGBT+ CSF), 150+ people attended the vigil to watch and hear speakers from across communities talk about challenging hate crime, the harm done to individuals and communities by hate crime, and building cross community links to increase resilience.

Speakers included Lou Whittingham, representing LGBT+ CSF, Manal Ahmed from the Racial Harassment Forum, Linn Davies of Possibility People, Fiona Sharp from Network of International Women, Emma Ryland, trans activist, and Brighton & Hove city councillors Alan Parsons (Community Safety lead) and Phelim MacCafferty, convener of the Greens.

Staff from BHCC Safer Communities team were at hand, along with staff and officers from Sussex Police who were also in attendance to explain how to report hate crime to statutory agencies. The supportive team of committed volunteers from the Rainbow Hub ensured the event ran well, and the BHCC LGBTQ Workers’ Forum sponsored the refreshments.

Billie Lewis, Chair of LGBT+ CSF, said: “In these dark times of rising hate crime and communities feeling attacked and targeted, it’s encouraging to see so many people from across the city’s divergent communities coming together to talk about love, commitment and the relentless challenge of hate. Together we’re stronger, an interconnected web of diversity with a clear message of hope. If you have been affected by any form of Hate Crime REPORT IT! You can report it to the LGBT Safety forum here. A new helpline is live for Brighton & Hove residents to report instances of hate crime. The new number is 01273 855620.”