Homophobic crimes recorded on the rise in the Midlands
ITV News Central has learned that reported homophobic hate crimes are on the rise.
Figures from police forces in the Midlands reveal that in the 12 months to June this year, there were 387 reported homophobic crimes compared with 358 over the same period three years ago.
Leicester Wildecats are a gay football team who play in the Gay Football Supporters Network league.
Darran, one of the players, says homophobia is nowhere near the levels of the 1980s but he still knows of a number of people who have been victims. He told ITV News Central about his uncle's experiences.
David Sharman says he was angry when vandals wrote homophobic abuse in black marker pen all over the windows and sides of his car.
Homophobia is still a huge problem within football.
A number of campaigns have been launched to combat it. Including the #Rainbowlaces drive, where Premier League stars wore rainbow laces in matches to show their support.
Tim Law, Leicester Wildecats, says clubs like his allow gay people to get involved in football.
Some claim the rise is because victims have more confidence in the police.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) believes relations between the forces and the gay community is constantly improving.
It launched a campaign last year to tackle the hate crime.
But in its most recent Gay British Crime Survey, Stonewall found more than three quarters of victims surveyed still did not report their crime to the police.
ONLINE ABUSE:
In the last few years online homophobic abuse has become a major concern.
James Taylor, from Stonewall, says it is making a difficult task in dealing with hate crime that much harder.
The fear of hate crime is affecting where LGBT people go and how they act in public.
Darran says he does not feel comfortable being too affectionate to his boyfriend when in certain places.
CHANGING ATTITUDES:
One group believes the best way to combat homophobia in the long term is to improve education in schools.
Challenging Homophobia in Primary Schools (CHIPs) is a scheme designed to teach children to celebrate difference. 36 schools in Birmingham currently use it.
Books and songs are used to teach primary school children about the importance of accepting everyone regardless of their differences.
Birmingham City Council appointed award winning campaigner Elly Barnes as its LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-gender) adviser for schools two years ago. She has been tasked with introducing the scheme to all schools in the city.
Her survey reveals 82% of pupils use homophobic language regularly.
Some parents have campaigned against the scheme being used in primary schools.
Police had to be called to a meeting where angry parents confronted the headteacher of Welford Primary School in Birmingham, Jamie Barry, over introducing the scheme.
Mother, Tara Powell, spoke to ITV News Central in November while handing a petition against CHIPs to Birmingham City Council.
Elly Barnes says educators are obliged under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure everyone is treated equally and fairly.
According to YouGov, fewer than one in ten primary school teachers are trained to tackle homophobic bullying.
The headteacher for Anderton Park Primary School, Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson, says the training her school has been given by Elly Barnes has been "vital."
Watch the full report by Joe Lobo below.