Homophobia
Saturday, 16. August 2008, 05:39:26
Ørstedsparken in the centre of Copenhagen is a cosy little park people can visit in the daytime; 
There are playgrounds and a lake where you can feed the ducks and swans. There are benches where you can relax, and large lawns. It's a great green area in the center of a big city. But when the sun goes down, the crowd changes. Ørstedsparken has always been a well-known meeting spot for gay men in the city. However, there are warnings of an increase in hate crimes against gay people in the area.
The National Association for Gays and Lesbians (LBL) says that they have seen a rise in the number of attacks against gay people in the last few years.
The Copenhagen municipality only recently began registering cases of hate crimes and discrimination against homosexuals. In the last month, 62 hate crimes against gay people have been reported. They believe the actual figure is much higher, and that many don't report if they get attacked.
As a result of the violence, the Copenhagen police have increased the number of patrols in the Ørestedsparken area.
The LBL would like to see a course against homophobia introduced as part of sex education in Danish schools, saying that the current teaching aids are out of date.
What is going on? Where did tolerance go? Not liking what other people do, doesn't give anybody rights to attack the people they dislike. To be honest, I never really understood homophobia. I've heard a lot of guys explaining it with: "I don't want him to make a pass at me!" That's probably the lamest I have ever heard. Don't flatter yourself, guys!
There are playgrounds and a lake where you can feed the ducks and swans. There are benches where you can relax, and large lawns. It's a great green area in the center of a big city. But when the sun goes down, the crowd changes. Ørstedsparken has always been a well-known meeting spot for gay men in the city. However, there are warnings of an increase in hate crimes against gay people in the area.
The National Association for Gays and Lesbians (LBL) says that they have seen a rise in the number of attacks against gay people in the last few years. The Copenhagen municipality only recently began registering cases of hate crimes and discrimination against homosexuals. In the last month, 62 hate crimes against gay people have been reported. They believe the actual figure is much higher, and that many don't report if they get attacked.
As a result of the violence, the Copenhagen police have increased the number of patrols in the Ørestedsparken area.
The LBL would like to see a course against homophobia introduced as part of sex education in Danish schools, saying that the current teaching aids are out of date.
What is going on? Where did tolerance go? Not liking what other people do, doesn't give anybody rights to attack the people they dislike. To be honest, I never really understood homophobia. I've heard a lot of guys explaining it with: "I don't want him to make a pass at me!" That's probably the lamest I have ever heard. Don't flatter yourself, guys!
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