LGBTQ+ activists call on police to 'do something' after homes and cars vandalized

The first time Wortley Pride organizer Kathy Bell woke up to find her car tires slashed and orange spray paint scribbled across the vehicle's windows, she said she was in utter disbelief. 

When it happened again, 10 days later this past Friday, she said she was outraged. 

Bell is one of at least two London LGBTQ+ activists CBC News has spoken to who have had their vehicles vandalized at their homes this past month, and who believe they're being targeted for their sexual orientation. 

"It's very disheartening when you wake up in the morning and see that someone has come onto your property and destroyed something that you worked so hard to earn, own and to be proud of, just because of who you are." Bell said. "It's soul crushing."

In addition to the damaged vehicles, Bell and her wife who fly a Pride flag and have a lawn sign supporting trans youth, also found spray paint on the fence during the May 13 incident, and on their shed during the May 23 incident. 

"My wife literally stood in the driveway and screamed," Bell said. "You're shocked that it happened again, so close together."

Trans activist Stevie Brocksom found the tires on their two cars slashed in the driveway and graffiti on the car and garage the same night Bell's home was first vandalised.

"There's no randomization of who the victims are. We're all trans activists," Brocksom said, noting that they once held a Pride-related event at their home. "It's a hate crime."

London police say they are investigating the incidents and a hate crime officer has been notified but not assigned to the case. The incidents are being looked at separately, police said Monday in a statement. 

"There does not appear to be any indication that these are associated or linked," wrote Const. Matt Dawson.

The activists disagree, adding they have heard from other LGBTQ+ people in London and beyond who have been targeted since the start of the year.

"The audacity to be able to do that to someone that you don't know, simply because they're gay, is just ridiculous," Bell said. 

Fear ahead of Pride month

Bell and Brocksom both said they have been on the receiving end of homophobic and transphobic acts in the past, but the latest incidents are particularly scary. 

"While I've had targeted hate mail and messages through [Facebook] Messenger, it's never crossed the line onto my personal property before, so I was devastated and just completely shocked that they've found us, and now are violating my privacy and my sanctuary," Bell said.

Both activists said they have taken extra security measures, like setting up cameras, to feel safer.

"Our housemate suggested that we now sleep in shifts," Brocksom said, worried their property will be vandalised again. "Who wants to sleep in shifts in their own home? It's violating."

The fear for their own safety ripples out to London's LGBTQ+ community, Bell said, adding that the Wortley Pride team is already looking into measures to increase security at their events. 

"We're less than a week away from Pride month and the level of hate is escalating in the city, Bell said. "I'm really afraid for our queer population about what we're going to face during our Pride celebrations in June, because if people are this brazen, what are they going to do next?"

The activists say they want to see consequences for these and other hate-motivated incidents. 

"I want [police] to do something," Brocksom said. "I want to be reassured that measures are being taken to protect the trans community because we're coming up on Pride month…and pride month is the worst month for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community."