Brighton: Lesbian couple subjected to anti-gay abuse by boy dressed as a monkey
A lesbian couple say they were subjected to homophobic abuse by a boy dressed as a monkey in Brighton.
The incident happened during Pride weekend when the victim and her partner were walking through Queen’s Park on Sunday at 8.30pm.
Ali Adolph, who lives with her partner Kate in Brighton and has a two-year-old daughter, told The Argus she was horrified by the ordeal.
She said: “There were about 12 children, all about nine or ten-years-old, and about six of them were wearing onesies.
“One boy started yelling abuse at us as we walked through the park – he was dressed as a monkey.
“It sounds ridiculous, but actually it was upsetting and I was angry.”
She added: “A day before I had been at Pride, compeering in a tent, and I said one of the things I love about the city was that you could walk down the street hand-in-hand with your girlfriend or boyfriend and no one would bat an eyelid.”
In response, a Sussex Police spokesman said: “We will be looking into this incident.
“All such reports are taken seriously by police as they can cause considerable fear among victims, other members of the community and local residents.
“We are committed to reducing all forms of hate crime and works closely with community groups to increase reporting, widen awareness, and build confidence with victims to help bring offenders to justice.”
Yesterday, Sussex Police confirmed that 40 arrests were made during Brighton Pride at the weekend.
Offences included being drunk and disorderly, theft, assaulting a police officer, sexual assault and possession of drugs.
