Walk with Stonewall to beat the homophobic bullies

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

Gay and lesbian stars are to join hundreds of others on a gay walk in Brighton to help kids who face homophobia at school.

The 4th Annual Equality walk is a demonstration of solidarity against homophobic crime, a nice day out, a good bit of exercise and an opportunity to do a bit of star-spotting.

The event, organised by Stonewall, will take place on Sunday 6th May, which is the Bank Holiday weekend.

Coronation Street star Anthony Cotton and outrageous lesbian comedian Amy Lamé have already confirmed they will be trekking to raise money for Stonewall’s crucial campaign work around anti-gay hate crimes and homophobic bullying in schools.

The 10km walk will follow a route set by BLAGSS, the Brighton-based lesbian and gay sports group, and ends in a prize-giving party at the newly-refurbished Legends bar.

Registration this year is only £10 for which participants will receive a Stonewall Equality Walk t-shirt and goodies on the day.

All that those taking part need to do is raise over and above the registration fee and, as always, there will be some great prizes for the top fundraisers.

Ben Summerskill, Stonewall chief executive, said the event is always fun, but there is a serious side to it:

“We continue to hear distressing reports of violent attacks on gay people and young people afraid to go to school because of homophobic bullies,” he said.

“We’re working hard on campaigns to highlight and tackle hate-crimes and bullying but we need the continued help of our supporters and friends to do this.”

In July 2006 Stonewall held a conference, “Tackling Homophobia in our Schools,” and launched a free DVD, entitled Spell It Out, for distribution to teachers in all London’s secondary schools.

More than 100 key decision-makers in the education sector across Britain attended the conference as part of “Education for All,” Stonewall’s national programme to tackle homophobia and homophobic bullying in our schools.

Mr Summerskill urged people around the country – not just LGBT people, but their friends too – to join in the Bank Holiday event and walk 10km to raise money for the critical campaigning work that needs to be done around hate crime.

To register, visit www.equalitywalk.org.uk or contact the equality team on 020-7593 1874.

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