Riverside - KHT and Riverside to tackle homophobia in schools

TWO housing associations are aiming to stamp out homophobic bullying in schools with the help of a mother whose gay son was murdered.

Knowsley Housing Trust and Riverside are promoting FIT – a play aimed at tackling homophobia in young people – with the support of Marie Causer whose son, Michael, was killed aged 18.

“This is a major issue that we need to tackle,” said KHT Chief Executive Bob Taylor.

“We hope that bringing this play to Merseyside will highlight the issues that young people face when confronted with homophobic behaviour.

“There is no place for homophobia in our society and we are committed to doing all we can to stamp it out.”

Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) and Riverside have been working with Liverpool’s arts and social justice organisation, Homotopia, to bring the play to the area. The play has been produced by gay equality charity Stonewall.

More than 5,000 young people will watch FIT when it tours schools, theatres and youth clubs across Merseyside between February 22 and 26, with the trusts providing funding.

Riverside’s chief executive Deborah Shackleton said: “Young people can be made aware of the damage that homophobic behaviour can do through the use of drama and workshop discussions. Riverside takes all forms of hate crime seriously and is committed to working in partnership with other agencies to ensure that homophobic behaviour and other forms of bullying are stopped.”

Neil Townsend, Riverside divisional director and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) champion, added: “This is an issue that the LGBT staff group in Riverside has been considering following research from some of our LGBT tenants. This is a practical way of promoting positive images and raising awareness of the effects of homophobic behaviour in schools and communities.”

Marie will be touring schools with the play and talking to students about homophobic issues.

Her son Michael was murdered at a house in Huyton in 2008, and although a judge ruled that his death was not a hate crime, she is now dedicated to creating more tolerance.

“The message has got to go out loud and clear,” said Marie, who is from Whiston. “People should be free to live their lives as they choose to live them.

“It has a lot to do with education. We need to get into the schools and instil in people at an early age that homophobia will not be tolerated.”

FIT was written and directed by acclaimed director Rikki Beadle Blair, whose work includes Stonewall for BBC Films and Metrosexuality for Channel 4.

It features school pupils aged between 11 and 14 from across the area.

The play has also been produced as a feature length film, which will be distributed across Merseyside, including special screenings for staff and residents at KHT.

KHT was recently named amongst the top 100 places to work for gay, lesbian and bi-sexual employees in a poll by Stonewall.

Gary Everett, of Homotopia, said: “Our partnership with Knowsley Housing Trust and Riverside is testament that grassroots work is vital to challenging discrimination and creating a healthier and more cohesive society.

“This commitment from KHT and Riverside is the beginning of an important relationship aiming to tackle issues such as hate crime and homophobia.”