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Young Men Shout Abuse at Vigil for Brianna Ghey
from ISSUE 1528
by Redbrick
Charlie O'Keeffe News Editor
Content Warning: Homophobia, Transphobia and Reference to Murder
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On the 17th of February, hundreds of people gathered on Hurst Street next to the Birmingham Hippodrome to hold a vigil for Brianna Ghey. However, a group of young men came to the vigil to shout abuse at those gathered in Birmingham’s gay village to mourn the death of the transgen- der child.
On the 11th of February, Brianna Ghey was found in a village park in Cheshire stabbed to death. She was just 16-years-old. A 15-year-old boy and girl have been charged with her murder. There were vigils held for her across the country.
BirminghamLive were shown footage of the abuse shouted at the vigil but chose not to publish the video. At the vigil, the young men shouted slurs, and said ‘f*** LGBT rights.’ Mourners in the crowd responded, ‘no one’s telling you to be here’, and someone else shouted ‘calm down please’.
Additionally, an interview conducted at the scene by I Am
Birmingham after the vigil had concluded was interrupted by men shouting ‘f*** LGBT f*** you all.’ Eva Echo, who was being interviewed said, ‘And that's exactly why we need to come together’.
The vast majority at the vigil, though, were there in support of Brianna Ghey’s family and the transgender community. Speakers from the trans community in Birmingham gave speeches. One transgender teen described feeling ‘terrified’, and how he has been ‘sexually harassed’ and had rocks thrown at him.
The crowd held candles and brought flowers to pay their respects. They carried signs which read ‘Brum Against Hate’ and ‘Say her name’. They also shouted 'we love you!' when the trans teenager took the microphone. Meanwhile donations on a GoFundMe crowdfunding page for Brianna’s family have surpassed £100,000.
Brianna Ghey’s family issued a statement about their memory of her which reads: ‘Brianna was a much-loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister. She was a larger-than-life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her. Brianna was beautiful, witty and hilarious. Brianna was strong, fearless and one of a kind.’
