Plea for help

This is an open letter and plea for help from the niece of a Lesbian couple who are experiencing appaling homophobic abuse..

"I am writing to you from Golborne, Manchester.

In the early hours of Monday morning, my very close aunties house, in Golborne, was vandalised with homophobic graffiti, and we, along with G.M Police, are appealing for information. 101 was called and several hours later 999 had to be called due to aggressive threats from a neighbor.

At some point between 3AM and 8.30AM the phrases 'gay scum' and 'dirty bitch' were painted onto the windows, and paint splattered over the whole of the front door.

My auntie lives there with her 6 year old daughter, and has been subjected to constant torment and homophobic abuse from certain members of the community for as long as she can remember, purely because of her sexuality.

She regularly hears neighbors shouting abuse through the walls of the house, and has had her windows daubed with the word 'gay' before, in June this year.  She has reported the abuse being shouted through the walls and the previous graffiti to the police, and was basically told there was nothing they could do. They had no way to prove who painted the windows, and as for the neighbors shouting through the walls... well there are in their own home so freedom of speech means they can say what they like.  A statement was taken and nothing else was done.

Then things only started to get worse. The shouting happens more regularly than ever and she hasn't felt comfortable in her own home for months now.  She has applied to the council for an exchange to move away from the neighbors who obviously have severe issues with her. 

It is totally unfair for them both to be subjected to this kind of abuse. Both of them are scared to be in the house, as they fear for their safety. Her daughter says she doesn't like being near the 'bad people'.  In the 21st century you would think an honest, friendly, and kind-hearted woman could live peacefully despite the fact that other believe her sexuality to be 'dirty'.  Some of the neighbors in the area are extreme christians and believe she is living in sin. I'm pretty sure tormenting and verbally abusing your neighbors isn't very christian.

I am hoping you will find it in your heart to help us raise awareness of this and appeal for information, because somebody out there can prove who did this and help bring who-ever is responsible to justice and grant my family some closure on this horrendous ordeal.  My Auntie wishes to remain anonymous, as she does not want more trouble being brought on her and her daughter. But is happy for the story and pictures to be used in any way that might help find who-ever is responsible for this blatant hate crime.  This all took place on Rivington Avenue in Golborne (WA3 3HG).

Thanks Hayley"

If anyone has any information or can help in anyway. Please contact us here at canalstmanchester@googlemail.com and we will forward any information..

Published: 12-Sep-2013: (2054)