On behalf of the Safety Forum for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community of Brighton and Hove, I write to express our disappointment at your report of the launch of the Anti-Victimisation Initiative (Argus, April 5).
Our Forum, together with the Racial Harassment Forum, the Domestic Violence Forum, Victim Support, the police and the council have been working together over the past year to set up this nationally ground-breaking initiative.
The launch event was aimed at increasing the public's awareness of the AVI and of celebrating the strengths and contributions of the communities involved in the life of Brighton and Hove.
The launch included 20-minute performances by members from each of the three communities involved.
The lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender section included more than 20 members of the community showcasing the strengths of our community and highlighting the issues we face, including a specially-written song premiered at the event by a cross-community choir.
The several hundred people attending the event left the launch with a positive and optimistic feeling our communities can and are working together and that the days of abuse and violence going unchallenged and our communities being used as cheap political and media punching bags is over.
Unfortunately your coverage of this unique event shows we still have a long way to go.
-James Ledward, Safety Forum for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article