By Leon Thomas
Camden and Islington boroughs have announced plans to welcome the largest LGBT+ History Month celebrations throughout February, as hate crime rates continue to soar.
Statistics revealed by the Home Office show that hate crimes against people based on their sexual orientation across England and Wales had surged by 25 per cent, continuing an upwards trend in recent years.
Crimes against people who identify as transgender increased even more dramatically, with a 37 per cent increase from 2017/18.
For a second consecutive year, hate crimes based on sexual orientation was the second most recorded hate crime by police forces.
While the report suggests that the increase in recorded hate crimes is due to improvement in reporting methods, according to LGBT+ rights charity Stonewall, only one in every five crimes against the LGBT+ community is recorded.
Additionally, while the number of hate crimes being reported has increased, figures show that fewer prosecutions are being made, having fallen from 20 per cent to eight per cent since 2013.
According to the 2019 annual State of Equalities in Islington report, homophobic hate crime has increased by two per cent, while crime against those who identify as transgender was increased by 53 per cent, compared to the previous year.
The same report shows that Islington was the sixth most prolific area for homophobic hate crimes in London.
To commemorate the event, London Metropolitan University will be hosting LGBT+ themed events, including screenings, panel talks and discussions.
“London Met has some fantastic events this month, and we are encouraging as many students and people outside of the university to come and enjoy everything we have to offer,” says Associate Professor, Wendy Sloane.
Free events are to be centered around themes of ‘Poetry, Prose and Plays’ and have been carefully curated by LGBT+ support group Forum+.
Visitors can benefit from a wide range of mostly free to attend functions across Camden and Islington. These include guided walks, LGBT+ themed story book mornings and poetry readings.
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