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LGBTQ+ people still feel unsafe on London transport
A new report suggests that, despite widespread effort, LGBTQ+ abuse still prevails in our everyday spaces.
Though the rise in LGBTQ+ figures in the mainstream media — and flourishing national pride campaigns — may foster some ignorance to the realities of queer life in the UK, that reality is still painful for many.
But a new report by London TravelWatch has highlighted just how severe LGBTQ+ abuse can be, and how ingrained it is in our local spaces.
According to TravelWatch, two-thirds of 600 people surveyed in London felt they were at risk of violence or harassment when using public transport in the capital.
Two out of three of those who had experienced abuse or harm said that bystanders did nothing to intervene.
These statistics are heartbreaking, but unsurprising. One need only look at our government’s legislation and all-around attitude towards the queer community — trans people in particular — to get an understanding of how such vitriol is generated.