Thread: A petition

In remembering the case of a Lancashire couple, who recieved a horrific beating, for the way they were dressed and, in which an innocent young woman lost her life, the Alternative & Gothic community puts forward that the definition of hate crimes should expand to protect subcultural people where the law is concerned.


Most gothic/subcultural people regularly complain of being harrassed, abused, spat on or attacked for the way they look, having done or said nothing to otherwise provoke this. People who prefer ‘darker’ fashions; who sport facial piercings, alternative makeup or dyed hair regularly experience being singled out on these grounds, by the less tolerant. When this escalates to physical attack and, in this instance, death of an innocent person, it is clearly unnacceptable.


According to the home office, the definitions of ‘Hate Crime’ include race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation and disability. We feel this list should also include: “On the basis of personal appearance or subculture”.

I have to agree with this, whilst I dont particularly like the way that they look (my daughter is one) there is no way that you should be subjected to the abuse and harrassment that people do suffer because of it.

You can sign the petition here

Petition to: Widen the definition of 'Hate Crime', to include crimes committed against a person or persons, on the basis of their appearance or subcultural interests.

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Hi Lula

I detest discrimination, abuse, bullying etc of any sort. It only leads in one direction.

This was horrific. Makes me wonder where our country is going. Sadly, there are so many examples.

I just wish that each person would at least think if not do, something nice and positive for a different person each day. 1 simple act by everyone would have such a positive impact on our society. The feeling you get from that is just immense.

I have signed the petition.

You take care. Kenny XXX

Signed Lula .........

Hi Stevo
Nice to see you back- how's things?

I don't think we really need more legislation on the issue; all the things you describe are already illegal. What we need to do is actually enforce the laws we already have.

For info Fergal

My post to Stevo referred to the fact he is now an occassional visitor whose interests are elsewhere.

His comment about another petition for people with hair of a certain colour is simply reflective of that. It does not however detract from the OPs sentiment which most people will agree with.

Regards, Kenny

Originally Posted by tomterm8

I don't think we really need more legislation on the issue; all the things you describe are already illegal. What we need to do is actually enforce the laws we already have.

You are of course perfectly correct tomterm.

However, whilst the "campaign" may not even be looked at by the powers that be, I see positive benefits in that it allows people to express their concern at such a sad and horrific event.

Additionally, sometimes events need to be highlighted so as they don't fall off the agenda. In this case, it also allows connection with a part of our society that are often, wrongly, ostracised. All sections of society visit this public forum and posts on the subject are read by all sectors of society, including goths.

Regards, Kenny

Hi Lula and other posters

this is the response from the government to the above petition

"You have signed an e-petition suggesting that the definition of 'hate crime' be widened to include crimes committed on the basis of a person's appearance or interests.
The Government's current definition of 'hate crime' is as follows:

• A 'hate incident' is any incident which is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by hate or prejudice.
• A 'hate crime' is any incident which contributes to a criminal offence, perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by prejudice or hate.

Within this broad definition, legislation focuses on hate crimes on the basis of race, faith, sexual orientation, disability and gender identity - and it is these categories which are currently monitored. We do not plan to extend this to include hatred against people on the basis of their appearance or sub-cultural interests. These are not intrinsic characteristics of a person and could be potentially be very wide ranging, including for example allegiance to football teams - which makes this a very difficult category to legislate for. However, it is important to remember that this is within a legal framework that assumes that all violence is a very serious matter; and in addition, judges have discretion to look at a wide range of mitigating and aggravating factors when they are sentencing - and are likely to view attacks motivated by hatred of this kind as very serious indeed."