A TRANSGENDER woman living in Redditch is calling for better LGBTQ+ education after claiming she was told to “kill herself” on a bus journey home.
The teenager, who didn’t want to be named, told the Standard that she would use her hate crime experience to speak up for those who are marginalised.
Local police have confirmed that an investigation into the incident is underway. But the young girl said she does not want to press charges against those who verbally attacked her, but instead sit down and educate them.
“There’s no point punishing them because they’re not going to learn anything – it won’t make a difference,” she said.
“It’s more a case of teaching them why it is wrong and how this type of hate crime can affect anyone, even people who are close to them.”
On Monday she told us how she would like to see better education in school ‘right from the off’.
“There is gay and lesbian education in schools, to some degree, but there is nothing about transgender people.
“A lot of this is about getting trans’ voices heard because at the moment we are ignored and we have no representation.”
She added she would like to see better representation in Parliament and local authorities, and would love to run for councillor in Redditch in a few years.
“I feel like transgender attacks have got a lot worse recently. You see a lot of people, even here in Redditch, who have public platforms and use it to incite hate against trans people. We need to do better.”
When asked how a transgender person should deal with hate crime, she told us: “Please call the police on 101. They been amazing with me and I know they are taking it seriously.”
Redditch Safer Neighbourhood Inspector, Lee Page, added that hate crime is ‘massively under-reported’.
“I would encourage anyone who has experienced it to speak out,” he said.
“By reporting it you may be able to prevent it from happening again to you or someone else.”
Coun Joe Baker, who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, said: “This is not what we want here in Redditch.
“Some people question why we need Pride and this is just one example.
“Please, if you see a hate crime, and you feel safe to challenge it, then do so.”
