Subj : 'It got really dangerous really quickly'- Victim recounts homophobic a
To : All
From : Major Queen
Date : Sun Mar 08 2020 08:44 pm
SOURCE: 1 NEWS
A man has tearfully recounted how he and his partner were the victims of a
homophobic attack following the Wellington Pride Parade this morning, with a
police officer refusing to escort them to safety upsetting him more than
anything.
After celebrating diversity in the capital, Joe Perrone says he and his
partner were grabbing something to eat at a takeaway shop when their night
turned ugly.
He says the incident happened around 4.00am and there were five or six people
attacking them, mostly women.
"They thought he (Mr Perrone's partner) pushed in line when I said can you
leave my boyfriend alone, more people jumped in that's when they said 'You
f-----, you homo, is that your boyfriend?'"
"A girl cut my arm, a guy grabbed me by the shoulder and punched me in the
face."
"It's not an easy thing to see your partner go through that," Mr Perrone told
1 NEWS.
"My boyfriend is there absolutely defenceless."
Mr Perrone says police broke it up, but he's most upset about what happened
next.
"I was grasping and holding onto policewoman's arm begging her to walk us
down the street because there were crowds of people still attacking us and
she looked me in the eye and said 'I'm not going to do that.'"
Mr Perrone's partner lives less than 400 metres away from the takeaway shop,
and he says some people followed them onto the street, still shouting
homophobic slurs.
Police said in a statement there were a number of disorder incidents in the
city overnight but say they won't know more information until the officers
who were on shift overnight are back at work.
"We have a culture at the RNZPC which is extremely inclusive and the recruits
are presented with scenarios and role-plays that represent people in the
LGBTQI community.
"Officers receive training in working with members of the rainbow community
as part of Tactical Communications training.
"Police do not categorise offences by the gender identity or sexual
orientation of those involved, however no one should feel discriminated
against in this way," a police spokesperson said this evening.
The incident comes after divisions in the rainbow community over the
involvement of organisations like the military and police.
Several rainbow groups excluded themselves this year and so did all of New
Zealand's major banks as a result.
InsideOUT charity Managing Director Tabby Besley says the incident calls into
question whether police should be involved in pride parade.
"Is it appropriate for them to be marching as police when things like this
are happening and our communities are feeling unsafe and being mistreated?"
Being the victim of a homophobic attack isn't new for Mr Perrone. Three years
ago his nose was broken in another attack and he says police didn't follow it
up because of a lack of evidence.
He hasn't reported this latest incident to police yet and says he forgives
his attackers, but he'd like to meet with the officers involved and get
answers.
"I just want to know why she wouldn't escort me," he said.
He says he wants to see changes in the way police treat members of the queer
community.
"Our queer brothers and sisters and all others, they need protecting, because
they're not being protected."
Minister of Finance Grant Robertson was part of Wellington's Pride Parade
last night, and said while he doesn't know the details of the case, the
alleged incident is "really disappointing".
"That shouldn't be happening in New Zealand today and as a community we've
got to come together and ensure everyone feels safe."
When asked if police should continue to be involved in New Zealand pride
parades, Mr Robertson said everyone needs to be represented in pride events
and that there had otherwise been a "great atmosphere" at the parade.
"I think its hugely important we've got opportunities for all members of our
rainbow community to be able to come together, celebrate who they are and
feel like part of our community."
Steven Mawhinney who owns Wellington's Ivy Bar said the incident is
disturbing and highlights the need for pride events in New Zealand.
"The handling of this incident may confirm the position of those who believe
the New Zealand Police should not have a uniformed presence at Pride events.
We want to see the same values they marched for in the Parade last night
reflected in the practice of the officers on the ground."
He's also advocating for more training for police following the incident.
"We are aware that the New Zealand Police cut their sexual orientation and
gender identity training in 2016 and have not reintroduced the programme
since, despite subsequent requests from advocate groups."
People 1 NEWS spoke to at the Pride Parade on Saturday night were divided
about the involvement of organisations like the police.
One of Wellington International Pride Parade's organisers, Heather Henare
said it was important for police to be involved in the parade.
"We welcome the conversation, we welcome inclusivity. The NZ Defence Force
and Police are part of that. We are hopeful to get some more communication as
year goes on for next parade"
"New Zealand Police need to be part of our present, they've been a part of
our past. It hasn't always been good but we're working really hard to improve
that."
But another parade attendee 1 NEWS spoke to said they had "strongly mixed
feelings" about the inclusion of groups which "have a long history of
transphobia and homophobia..police and military especially."
