More than 1500 people joined yesterday’s anti-homophobia march in Liverpool city centre which was organised following a spate of gay bashing attacks in Liverpool.

Gay teenager Michael Causer was murdered last year and Merseyside Police constable James Parkes was left fighting for his life after being attacked last month.

The demonstration was organised after student Emma Stewart set up a Facebook page called Liverpool March Against Homophobia, which gained over 1,000 members in 24 hours.

It now has more than 6,500 members and acts as a forum to speak out against homophobia.

Among those attending the march yesterday was Michael’s mother Marie who said:
“It’s been a fantastic turn-out. This is what we need.

“We’re here to get the message across that enough is enough and that homophobia isn’t acceptable, not here, not anywhere. It’s to unite everyone and show that we’re all equal, nobody’s any different. People can be what they want to be and wear what they want to wear.

“My son was murdered for being what he was and for living the life he wanted to live.

“Michael’s killer was sentenced on the basis it was not a hate crime but his family have always believed he died because of his sexuality.”
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Among those making speeches was gay Liverpool councillor and Liberal Party Leader, Steve Radford, who said:
“It was great to walk through the main shopping area of the city and show that gays and lesbians will not be treated as second-class citizens in our city, and that an injury on one is an injury on all of us.
 
“It was important we made a public statement in a dignified way.”

Cllr Radford also read out a message of support for the march from the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, on behalf of all the denominations in the city.

Organisers said the importance of the march had been shown yet again after the attack last week on a 19-year-old student, who was battered in the city centre by an eight-strong gang hurling homophobic abuse.

Organiser Emma Stewart said:
“These attacks should not be tolerated, and this march is a good way of showing the community and Liverpool at large that they won’t be from now on.”