Queer women stand up to gang of ‘white, British men’ for ‘racist, homophobic, transphobic and sexist’ language on packed train
Actor Josie Kemp shared a video of a group of men using derogatory language on a busy train. (Josie Kemp/YouTube)
Shocking video footage shows a group of louts shouting a vile, misogynistic chant and using homophobic and transphobic language on a packed train.
Actor Josie Kemp was on a Banbury-bound train leaving London Marylebone on Saturday night when “a group of white British men boarded” boarded and began “mimicking an Indian accent”.
“As soon as the train left the platform, the men began a sexist chant,” she wrote on YouTube.
“When the lady opposite me stood up, asked them to shut up and told them their behaviour was unacceptable, they found it hilarious.”
The video shows a woman asking the group, “Do you have any idea how offensive you are?” and questioning whether they would use such language in front of a female partner or relative.
Smirking, members of the group, who all appear to be swigging cans of cider and pre-mixed cocktails, retort: “Don’t s*** yourself.”
Kemp was travelling with her girlfriend Lauren Soley, who told PinkNews that the group “went on to be homophobic and transphobic, joking about us being in a same-sex relationship”.
“When I sat back down one guy shouted, ‘Eugh, f***ing lesbians,'” Soley said.
When she called the group out on their behaviour, one of the men reportedly replied: “I could be gay for all you know, so don’t call me homophobic.”
In response, Soley said: “I would support you if you were, and I’m sure your friends would,” to which he reportedly “cracked up”.
When it was suggested that the men were being “racist and sexist”, they pointed out that one the group (who is unseen) is black. Soley said that he was in fact white.
It’s depressing that people like this exist but it’s more hurtful to know that they can get away with it.
“We’re not racist. We’re not sexist,” various members interject. One added: “He is a transgender, he identifies as both men and female [sic].”
Kemp added that the group “found this hilarious”. Soley said that the same man later claimed to identify “as a lamp”.
“It’s depressing that people like this exist but it’s more hurtful to know that they can get away with it,” Kemp said.
“The guy sat next to me was from India, we got chatting when the men left the train and told me that when these men got on the train and were mimicking and mocking an Indian accent, he felt extremely uncomfortable.
“It isn’t right! It’s not funny It’s not OK. Sexist. Homophobic. Racist. Transphobic people, getting away with being hateful. We shouldn’t stand for it.”
Chiltern Railways, who operated the service, tweeted that it does “not tolerate this kind of behaviour”, and encouraged people to report similar incidents to the British Transport Police (BTP) by texting 61016.
BTP told PinkNews that it is currently investigating the incident.
“The incident happened on board the 10.40pm service travelling between Marylebone and Beaconsfield on 7 December,” a spokesperson said.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 234 of 09/12/2019.”
