Liverpool Boy in Critical Condition Following Homophobic Beating
Story here. Updates here and here.
I’ve been fortunate. I don’t live in the most gay-friendly community in the world, but I’ve never personally been subject to a homophobic assault in my area. My family is well-known round here, and it’s no secret that I’m gay. I’ve had schoolkids ask me about my partner, and for the most part their reaction has been: “Cool.”
But I am not oblivious to the fact that I live in an area where there is homophobia. I have friends down the road who, although they’ve never been physically attacked, have experienced vandalism borne out of gay-hate. And mine’s a fairly traditional working class neighbourhood, where the laissez-faire attitude of city life towards issues of sexuality has yet to fully take hold. Being gay is the sort of thing you could tell the neighbours, but you would likely be in trouble – or at least get some very interesting glances – if you walked down the street hand-in-hand with your boyfriend.
This week I discovered that homophobic violence has come close to home. Michael Causer, a 19-year-old who lives just a couple streets away from me, was attacked on a busy road at 11am on Friday July 25, in a crime rooted in homophobic hate. He was viciously beaten, and now he lays in critical condition in hospital, having faced emergency brain surgery on the weekend.
I am grateful for never having had to endure the worst homophobia. But stories like this one remind me I’m only ever a few steps away.
________________
A few more details from Pink News here.
That is very upsetting to here. I too am thankful to live in a very tolerant area. It is a shame there are still places in this country where such an awful thing can happen. I hope he recovers fully and completely.
Dave, sadly the lad has now died.
Comment removed by Dave Rattigan, 08/04/08.
I weep for him. Where is the voice of Exodus, who “loves” gay people, to condemn this vicious crime?
Thank you, Chris Thomas, for that brilliant exposé of homophobia. It may seem to some overly satirical, but it’s actually bang on the nail.
I am appalled at this despicable crime, and I feel ashamed that it should have happened in Liverpool, as I am a native of that area myself.
Let us all pray that Michael’s attackers may speedily be brought to justice and that all homophobics may be enlightened and repent.
“Where is the voice of Exodus, who “loves” gay people, to condemn this vicious crime?”
It would seem that according to Exodus, such crimes only appear in the mind.
Exodus Denounces House Vote on Thought Crimes Bill
Michael was a lovely lad who did not deserve this. He was always the one to make everyone feel comfortable, he was tiny, had no chance of fighting back. It is so sad that this has happened to him, and that we live in a world where people for what they are, not who they are. RIP in peace fella…God must have needed an angel, because that’s what you were in out lives. xxx
Look at the bright eyes on that boy. An angel’s eyes…
Eyes like that are forever…unaffected by age. Imagine those who loved him never looking into those beautiful eyes again…
I think I”ll go cry now….
Re Chris Thomas…
Where, exactly, does it state that Homosexuality is a crime against Mankind ? in a “religious” Book maybe???. There is NO Proof AT ALL that these “Gods” exist.
Murder, on the other hand IS a crime against mankind, by way of LAW.
The last time I looked, Homosexuality was legal, and Bigotry was NOT….
If you hate Homosexuals so much…may I ask why you are reading “Gay” web-sites??? something you want to tell us, Perhaps ???
Rest In Peace Michael, my condolonces to your MANY friends and Family
Please for God sake someone remove the post from Chris Thomas above re:gays are abnormal. There is a direct link from Michael Causer’s facebook group to this website. His family will read this.
Please for the sake of them, remove it! They are going through hell at the moment and the last thing they need is to read something like what Chris Thomas has wrote!!!
Hi, Richard. Chris Thomas’s vile, malicious comments were left to demonstrate the kind of extreme hate that exists towards gays and lesbians. However, your point is well-taken, and the comment has been removed. Cheers.
Thankyou very much for removing the post. It is very much appreciated. During such a sad time here in Liverpool, the last thing that should happen is to give the hate speech mongerers more air time. xxx Best wishes xxx