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Weybridge awards add to Idaho anti-homophobia day (From Elmbridge Guardian)
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Weybridge awards add to Idaho anti-homophobia day
6:30am Wednesday 20th May 2009
The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (Idaho) was celebrated in Weybridge on Sunday, hosted by charity Gay Surrey.
Representatives from Surrey Fire and Rescue, Surrey Police, Elmbridge and Surrey County Council attended, along with a host of inspirational speakers.
More than 160 people attended the event, which included a barbecue, cocktails, speeches and, new for this year, the Heart of Equality Awards which recognise those that have made a significant contribution to the LGBT community.
Gay Surrey chairman Gino Meriano said: “The speakers were truly touching, sharing their heart filled stories and covering key issues surrounding life in Surrey.
“Some made many realise what an amazing community we are and opened some people’s eyes to the good and bad, for that the charity thanks everyone that spoke yesterday.”
Among the speakers was Detective Chief Inspector Scott Salmon, who spoke about a new way of reporting hate crime on the Surrey Police website.
The online tool allows victims of hate crime to report it anonymously for the purpose of intelligence gathering, rather than securing prosecutions.
According to results from Gay Surrey’s lifestyle survey, the reporting of hate crime was up 9 per cent from the previous year.
D Insp Salmon said: “We don’t get it right all the time but we are improving.”
Both the charity and police agreed this was good news and showed the public’s confidence in police competence and confidentiality was on the rise.
Former TV presenter and Gay Surrey patron Bill Buckley also made a speech.
He said: “I really do believe in the work that they do. It is such an important thing to be involved in.
“Even now we can take nothing for granted. There are still people who would turn back the clock [on gay issues] if they could and they will always exist.”
The plans are already being laid for next year’s Idaho.
Mr Meriano said: “Thank you to everyone that supported the charity not only yesterday but over the years as well.”
• For more of what’s on, go to our Events section
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Weybridge awards add to Idaho anti-homophobia day. Pic: Matt Pereira Photography
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