A fundraiser to create a new LGBTQ+ history museum and charity in York has been launched by a brother and sister after their LGBTQ+ shop in the heart of the city was targeted by “homophobes” several times.
Claire and Xander Platz, who are both gay, launched the fundraiser after rainbow flags adorning their shop, This Shop Is So Gay, were “ripped down”. Claire also reported her car window was “smashed in”.
The fundraiser was initially launched for repairs and to fly more rainbow flags; however, the amount of funds raised exceeded their expectations.
Claire and Xander said: “[We are] both gay and we hung an LGBTQ+ flag outside our shop in the centre of York. It was ripped down the next day and my car window was smashed in. So, we put another one up really high and somehow it was completely unscrewed and taken off by homophobes.”
The siblings’ initial target was a humble £100 but donations now stand at over £2,000.
Updating their supporters, Claire and Xander said: “It has been a hard week after the homophobic attacks and we are overwhelmed with your support.
“It is hard being attacked and it has made us think about LGBTQ+ (especially Trans) children and adults who must be feeling very attacked right now.
“But don’t worry, WE have your back and WE have a plan!
“We originally asked for £100 obut you have donated so much more we have decided to extend the target and do something special with the extra money.
“We are starting a charity to educate and help LGBTQ+ people. We aim to create a fun LGBTQ+ history museum in the basement of our shop in York for you all to enjoy, and importantly to show the facts that LGBTQ+ people been around since year 0, that we are all “normal” and always have been.
“We will donate 10% of our cafe profits and hopefully the museum will educate and inform as well as be great fun.
“We may even educate some homophobes long the way!”
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