Policing and Crime
Since Galop began working in 1982, the landscape surrounding the police, hate crime and the LGBT community has changed almost beyond recognition. This section includes interviewees describing their perceptions of the police, in the past and now; and their experiences of crime, including personal experiences of hate crime and the impact of high profile crimes such as the Soho bombing and the Colin Ireland murders. Later, interviewees describe the development of Galop and its impact on the police, and the community.
Changes in Policing
Interviewees identify and discuss the sometimes significant shifts in attitudes between LGBT communities and the police from the 1970s and ‘80s to the present day. This section includes interviewees reflecting on their own experiences to highlight ongoing areas for improvement.
Perceptions of Police
In this section, interviewees share their observations of how and why antipathy towards the police may have formed amongst LGBT communities and how this has developed and in some cases improved over the years.
Crime and its Impact
Experiences of hate crime, as well as fear of becoming a victim, can have enormous and long-lasting impacts on individuals and communities. Here, interviewees share their stories and insights surrounding hate crime, homophobia and the reporting of LGBT crime in the press.
Soho Bombing
On 30th April 1999, a nail bomb exploded at the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho. This assault on the LGBT community had far-reaching consequences and added momentum to the Galop cause and to mainstream acknowledgement and understanding of homophobically-motivated hate crime. In this section, interviewees share their recollections of that day and describe the impact of the bombing on policy, themselves and their work.
Colin Ireland Murders
Colin Richardson describes the huge impact of the Colin Ireland murders on the community, and Galop’s key role in helping to identify that a serial killer was at work.
Galop’s Origins
In this section, Matthew Chell discusses some of the reasons that Galop came into existence and talks more generally about the central tenets of the organisation.
Galop’s Impact
This section includes the reflections of interviewees on the effect and relevance of Galop’s agenda on individuals, LGBT communities, public policy and legislation. Some interviewees highlight how their involvement with Galop has influenced their own attitudes and personal lives.
Experiences of Using Galop
Here, Alan Gray describes a personal experience of harassment and homophobic abuse. He shares his frustrations with the process of reporting and highlights how Galop assisted him in his attempts to be taken seriously by the police.
