Responding to a recent story about discrimination at a Cambridge gay club night, Carla McQueen, Labour’s lead councillor for LGBTQ+ rights has condemned the rise in homophobic attitudes and reinforced the council’s commitment to promoting equality across the city.

“I was shocked and disturbed to hear about local residents’ recent experiences at Glitterbomb.  This sort of thing is totally unacceptable.

“My fellow councillors and I absolutely condemn the recent increase in homophobic attacks. The city council supports all of our LGBTQ+ community here in Cambridge and wants to let the community know we stand together in stamping out homophobia in all its forms. Everyone in Cambridge should feel safe and welcome. If anything like this happens to you please report it to the police. Hate crime at any level doesn’t have a place within our city, and it is only by standing together that we will stamp it out finally, once and for all.

Cambridge recently celebrated its first Pride festival, with crowds flocking to Jesus Green to soak up the carnival atmosphere, and the Guildhall illuminated in the colours of the Pride flag.

Cllr McQueen acknowledged this as a positive step forward:

“It was fantastic to see so many local residents at Pride last month.  The whole day was a huge success, despite the weather, and it was great to see such a positive celebration of diversity.  That is why it is so disappointing that we’re still hearing about incidents like this one. And of course all of this is happening against a backdrop of homophobic attacks, like the recent incidents in London, Liverpool – and just two days ago in Hull.”

Daniel Zeichner MP echoed councillors’ concerns;

“There is absolutely no place for homophobia and I am sickened to hear of these attacks especially after the success of our very own Pride last month. Cambridge is a tolerant city and the LGBTQ+ community should always feel safe and welcomed here. Earlier this month I led a debate in the House of Commons after TOWIE star Bobby Norris started a petition against online homophobia. This needs dealing with.”