Bristol councillor's despicable comments must be punished
IAM calling for Councillor Richard Eddy to resign due to his despicable comments regarding the allocation of funding to a youth group working with young people who have suffered homophobic bullying.
To have someone who is representing the community and has an element of power in the city making these comments cannot go without retribution.
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I am also offended by the comments of Laura Midgley who should not be given a forum to express her ridiculously ignorant views – of course specialist groups are needed to provide specialist services to a minority (specialist) group!
Again, these ignorant comments just go to show how far there is to go in recognising that homophobia still exists.
The LGBT community are not equal as much as many people would like to believe it is. Young people are still struggling, battling with their sexuality and not all have understanding family and friends.
Not all are lucky enough to escape homophobia, whether that takes the form of a fist in their face or vicious words – both can be equally damaging. Thank god for groups like Reach for doing the work they do and to the Big Lottery Fund for recognising how important this work is.
Whether Cllr Eddy believes this or not, he should have the intelligence to keep his thoughts to himself and express them through appropriate channels rather than demeaning the work that is being done, not only in Bristol but across the country, to help a group of young people that are so often neglected.
I know that many people feel that the LGBT community often express a "poor us" attitude (a view shown in your comments board) but I can guarantee that most are incredibly aware of the great steps towards equality that have been made (particularly through the latest Labour government).
However, it is a fact that there is still a long way to go until LGBT people don't have to suffer discrimination at work, have the right to marriage like every other person in this country, and can walk down the street knowing that they will not face derogatory comments or sniggers. Surely that is everybody's right.
I could go on but I'm sure you can understand my issues with your article. I would also urge you to, in future, report on the reality of funding from the Big Lottery Fund.
Glenn Street, by email.
5 Comments
by mark, bristol
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 12:13PM
“Mike -
Our tax money should, in part, go towards fixing things wrong with society eg bullying, largely committed by people who were bullied themselves, so that we can build a better society. This is the goal of a truly civilised society, continual improvement.
Of course BNP members pay taxes, like everyone else. But they should not benefit from them, since their policies attract extreme views and thus can damage society. Let me give you an example.
In 1999, former BNP member David Copeland planted a series of nail bombs in London pubs, culminating in an attack on the gay pub The Admiral Duncan in the centre of Soho. The bomb killed three, including a pregnant woman and injured 129 others. Mr Copeland is now serving life in Broadmoor for his crimes, ironically, at the expense of taxpayers like you and me and BNP members!!. Do you want the BNP to get funding so that more of their devotees like this guy can go around bombing pubs because they hate gay, black or asian people?.”
by Mike, Bristol
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 4:36PM
“Mark, many people pay taxes not just Gay people loads of people, the BNP pay taxes so why can't they have a grant also.
I'm so pleased we have people like MrEddy, it restores my faith inin a falling world, this grant was appalling.”
by mark, bristol
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 12:47PM
“Thanks Glenn for your support. To Mike & George - gay people pay taxes and even play the lottery, so deserve to benefit from the cash. In an ideal world, there would be no need for this grant as homophobic bullying would not exist. Sadly, we don't, so it's necessary.
Councillor Eddy is entitled to free speech, as I am. But he should think about the gay folk in his ward who vote, as they have the right to help vote him out at the next local election.”
by Mike, Bristol
Saturday, September 19 2009, 5:35PM
“Well done Mr Eddy and thank goodness for sound common sense, this grant was a disgrace.”
by george, briz
Friday, September 18 2009, 5:48PM
“I calling for the endorsement of free speech and opinions, well done Mr Eddy, i never thought i'd agree with a Tory councillor.”