James Parkes’ Boyfriend Speaks
Tom Downey, the boyfriend of James Parkes, recently severely beaten in Liverpool by a gang of up to 20 boys after leaving a gay club, spoke to Liverpool EchoTV ahead of Liverpool’s anti-hate crime vigil. At the vigil he said:
“This time last week I never thought I would be standing here saying all this. The reason I am here is to stand up for not only what I believe in but what we all believe in and to push our right to freedom.
“The attack which happened last week was a massive shock to the nation and surely this is the final straw.
“No matter whether we are straight, gay or transgender it should make no difference – it’s what’s inside that counts.”
James thankfully meanwhile has been allowed to go home and is recovering from his ordeal. Thirteen boys have been arrested so far for his attack.
(video via Towleroad)
Vigil Planned for Ian Baynham
Join me at the vigil the week after next for Ian Baynham, the gay man murdered in Trafalgar Square:
A vigil has been organised to pay tribute to Ian Baynham, the gay man who died this week after being attacked in London’s Trafalgar Square.
The event was planned by members of a Facebook group called 17-24-30, which remembers those killed and injured by Soho bomber David Copeland. It was responsible for organising the London vigil after the Tel Aviv gay shooting in August.
It will be held between 8 and 10pm in Trafalgar Square on Friday, October 30th.
Reassuringly there have been arrests:
Police hunting for the killers of a 62-year-old gay man who was beaten to death in Trafalgar Square have arrested two 17-year-old girls and one 18-year-old boy.
Ian Baynham was attacked on September 25th. After suffering brain damage, his life support machine was switched off on Tuesday.
According to a Metropolitan Police spokesman, the girls were arrested at their homes in south-east London, as was the 18-year-old male.
They are being held at separate police stations and will be questioned.
Makes you wonder whether Jan Moir blames him for his own murder, doesn’t it?
