Gay couple threatened and forced to take shelter in pub in Vauxhall hate crime
A gay couple were forced to take shelter in a London pub on Sunday evening, after being pursued and threatened by a gang of teenagers who shouted homophobic slurs.
David Braniff-Herbert, a committee member of the TUC LGBT Committee, said he and his partner were walking under the tunnel at Vauxhall train station at around 5pm on Sunday evening, when they were subjected to homophobic shouting by 4-5 teenagers.
He said the terms “batty man” and “are you going to f*ck me in my bum?”, were clearly audible.
After the couple responded, they believed they had got away, however the gang followed them, and they were forced to take shelter in the Rose pub at Albert Embankment. One of the gang then entered the pub wielding a weapon, before the barman told him to leave.
The police were called, and the gang left before they arrived. The incident was logged as a hate crime.
Mr Braniff-Herbert told PinkNews: “There was a time when I used to tolerate being shouted at, called a queer and laughed at, I no longer live in that time – I live in the present and that’s why I’m taking our space back, our dignity back, our pride back. This incident is the tip of an ugly iceberg of fear and hate and we all have to make sure we report and collectively respond to these attacks on our community.”
The Metropolitan Police did not respond to a call for comment at time of publication.
The couple are organising a walk through the tunnel in Vauxhall and through to the same pub this Sunday, and any supporters to take part.Thirty guests have already confirmed, with 25 saying “maybe”.
