OutRage! Press Release 5 November 1000am.

Vigil for gay-bash murder victim

David Morley - Gay community mourns

Fourth homophobic murder in London this year

TONIGHT – Vigil for David Morley
Assemble: 6:30 pm
Friday 5 November 2004
Admiral Duncan Pub, 54 Old Compton Street, Soho

The lesbian and gay community will gather tonight (Friday 5 November)
to mourn and pay respect to David Morley who was brutally murdered in
a gay-bash attack last Saturday.

“He is the forth gay man to have been murdered in a homophobic attack
in London since April this year,” said Brett Lock of the gay human
rights group OutRage!, which is supporting tonight’s vigil.

A memorial vigil, organised by David’s friends, will start at 6:30 pm
tonight outside the Admiral Duncan Pub, 54 Old Compton Street, Soho.

“The murder of David Morley must be a wake-up call to the government,
the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Mayor of London. We
urgently need serious action to crack down on homophobic violence,”
said Mr Lock.

“According to the Metropolitan Police, there were 1,536 homophobic
hate-crime incidents in London in 2003, a 10% increase over the
previous year. Every single day, three or four gay Londoners are
subjected to homophobic abuse, threats or violence. London can still
be a dangerous place for lesbians and gay men.

“There needs to be concerted action to tackle the homophobic prejudice
which fuels antigay attacks.

“Over 90% of schools have no educational programmes to tackle
homophobia. A serious plan of action to stamp out homophobic bullying
in the school playground is long overdue and would be a fitting
tribute to the memory of David Morley,” he added.

ENDS

For Further Information:

Brett Lock (OutRage!)
Telephone: 0770 843 5917
Email:  brett@outrage.org.uk

Peter Tatchell (OutRage!)
Telephone 0207 403 1790