LGBTQ+ people 'feel threatened on London public transport' - naturally including the infamous conflation of “hate crimes” & “non-crime hate incidents” so readers can be Shocked & Dismayed by their dizzying rise & how such a small minority experience so much hate.
No comparative data provided, naturally, on the feelings/experiences of any other group.
Absolutely even now, even in London, same-sex couples have to be more cautious about PDAs (even holding hands, I mean) than opposite-sex couples. I don’t mean to dismiss that. The dreadful assault on a lesbian couple on a bus a few years ago must have (understandably) heightened anxiety. (Of course, some of the TQ+ have shown they have far less to fear 🤨)
It’s boggling the BBC continue to try to push the “most vulnerable” narrative (because we know who this story is really about) - & frankly insulting they considered this news. I demand a waterskiing budgie! There are probably more users of the London Transport Network who’ve felt threatened than not; & anyone brought up in London learns as a literal child [to try] not to draw attention. Some of us don’t have the luxury of opting out of what gets us targeted: visible disability aids; skin colour; & even, I’d argue, religious dress. Pronoun pins aren’t a requirement of being trans, but in many religious orders no “mufti” is owned other than nightwear. There is also a substantial difference between “a super-special version of a name badge” & part of how someone connects to God, expresses their faith, feels comfortable in themselves & around others, & in some cases carries out an explicit religious obligation.
The constant stream of stories like this is the news equivalent of EDI training that forgets about all the protected characteristics but one. Obviously I have sympathy for anyone who’s been assaulted on public transport (or anywhere else!) but this feeling of threat isn’t news & is, at least in part, manufactured. If you’re told everyone hates you & you’re about to be genocided, you will be fearful; you will feel threatened. Arguably it’s actively irresponsible of the BBC to further stoke those fears; especially with the warped stats.
Time to complain again?