From: 'OutRage!News Service'


Terrorist danger to gay venues

"Increase security," urges OutRage!

Gays get death threats from Islamists

London - 18 July 2005

"Gay venues could be bombed by Islamic terrorists. All gay bars and
clubs should introduce bag and body searches. Muslim fundamentalists
have a violent hatred of lesbians and gay men. They believe we should
be killed. Our community could be their next target. This is no time
for complacency."

The grim warning comes from Peter Tatchell of the gay human rights
group OutRage! in the wake of the 7 July terror attack on London.

Three of OutRage!'s leading members have received repeated death
threats from Islamic fundamentalists in recent weeks and months.

Peter Tatchell, OutRage! campaign coordinator Brett Lock, and gay
Muslim and OutRage! spokesperson on Muslim affairs, Aaron Saeed, have
been warned they will be murdered.

Tatchell, Lock and Saeed have been told they are on a "hit list" and
are going to be "beheaded" and "chopped up", in accordance with
"Islamic law".

The threats began soon after OutRage! stepped up its campaign in
defence of gay Muslims, including gay Muslims fleeing attempted
"honour killings" in Algeria, Iran, Palestine and in the UK.

The threats have been reported to the police. Officers have identified
the phone number but have been unable to trace the owner, as it is a
pay-as-you-go mobile phone.

The same Islamic fundamentalists have also threatened "attacks" on the
whole gay community: "Just you wait, you'll see", they warned Peter
Tatchell in a chilling late night phone call. The caller said: "We are
going to punish you all…The punishment for sodomy is death."

"If the terrorists want to attack the gay community, they may well
attempt to detonate a bomb in a crowded gay bar, restaurant, club or
community centre," according to Brett Lock.

"We also urge extra security and special vigilance in gay areas like
Canal Street and Old Compton Street, and at up-coming, publicly
advertised gay events like Big Gay Out and Soho Pride.

"Since early April, Islamic fundamentalists have made various attempts
to track the movements of Peter Tatchell, variously posing as
journalists, police officers and representatives of the Muslim Council
of Britain.

"Because of previous murder plots, enhanced security checks and
restricted access to Mr Tatchell have thwarted these attempts.

"The bombings on 7 July are unlikely to be the last.

"Security chiefs suspect there are other Islamic terrorist cells in
the UK. When the bombers strike next, they may not attack the public
transportation system. They will probably change targets to avoid the
enhanced surveillance on the bus and tube network. They may strike
outside of London.

"Liberal Muslims, Jews and gay people are possible targets for future
attacks. All gay venues throughout the country should install CCTV and
search everyone who enters.

"In April 1999, OutRage! issued a similar warning after the Brixton
and Brick Lane bombs, advising that gay venues could be targeted and
urging increased security. The OutRage! warning was mostly ignored.
Five days later, neo-Nazi David Copeland exploded a bomb in the
Admiral Duncan gay bar in Soho, killing three people. It would be very
foolish to ignore the possibility of Islamists bombing a gay bar or
club," said Mr Lock.

ENDS

Further information: Peter Tatchell, OutRage! 020 7403 1790
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