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Hundreds take over Manchester trams in gay choir sing-along following brutal homophobic attack

Nov 18 2014
Written by Aaron Day

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

Hundreds turned up to a mass sing-along on Manchester’s Metrolink on Monday following a homophobic attack in the city.

25-year-old Jean Claude Manseau and 19-year-old Jake Heaton were travelling on a tram in the city just before 1 AM on earlier this month, singing a song from the musical Wicked, when another man began to hurl homophobic abuse at them.

A few days after the incident, the Manchester Lesbian and Gay Chorus said it would hold the mass sing-along on public transport, in a show of solidarity for the victims.

ITV reports the group performed songs from West Side Story and Petula Clark’s song ‘Downtown’, before ending the event with the song ‘Gravity’ from Wicked in Piccadilly Gardens, where the attack took place.

Although neither victim attended the event, Mr Manseau’s mother said she was moved to tears by show of support.

She said: “To think that all these people have come out tonight for my son.

“It’s just a pity the rest of the world isn’t so kind.”

Defying Gravity by @mlgconline ringing out across Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens! #safetosing https://t.co/zUCGSf36X1

— Josh R (@technicalfault) November 17, 2014

Members of the chorus have described the attack as “horrifying”, and said they wanted to show the victims that they can be safe in the city, and that they have others standing with them.

Police have confirmed they are investigating the incident.

They are searching for a white man in his early 20s with very short hair, and a group of black or mixed race men.