Calls for dedicated hate speech laws to protect Guernsey's LGBTQ and disabled islanders

  • ITV Channel's Luke Keohane met with activists calling for better protection of LGBTQ and disabled islanders...

Guernsey residents are calling for politicians to introduce a dedicated hate speech law to better defend islanders with 'protected characteristics'.

It comes after some LGBTQ and disabled residents say they have faced threatening behaviour and verbal abuse.

In the UK, perpetrators can face fines or even prison sentences for verbal or physical abuse motivated because of a victim's race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or gender.

These are known as 'protected characteristics'.

Currently, the only dedicated hate speech law in the Bailiwick is the one surrounding racial hatred which can impose a maximum penalty of seven years against offenders.

Islanders like Charlie and Lisa want the States of Guernsey to follow the UK by introducing a dedicated law against hate speech.

Charlie claims he has even been denied access to taxis for being transgender. Credit: ITV Channel

Charlie Murray-Edwards, who is transgender, says insults have been hurled at him in St Peter Port, adding there are places on the island he feels like he can't go to.

Charlie explains: "You get the hateful comments and you’re walking through town and people who don’t know you - they’re just assuming - I could’ve just been a masculine looking woman but they assume I’m trans and they’ve made a comment and they’ve shouted a slur.

"It's a small island [and] everyone will run into each other. I can’t hide from the people who hate me - you can’t hide in Guernsey - you just have to take a different route.

"Friends parents have read the messages that I've been sent and they've had to take action themselves.

"Why is it the community having to come together [...] to protect me because laws aren't there?"

Lisa is concerned that other people with protected characteristics will be "crushed" by hurtful comments from others. Credit: ITV Channel

Lisa Robins, who has multiple sclerosis told ITV News that owing to her slurred speech she has received hurtful comments when she goes out in public.

She said: "People just assumed I was drunk and it really annoyed me, a lot of it is a lack of education.

"It’s just demeaning and very annoying.

"A lot of things [used to] crush me but now I'm very stroppy."

Lisa and Charlie both feel that a dedicated hate speech law would empower more LGBTQ and disabled islanders to report incidents in the first place.

States of Guernsey say that incidents can be dealt with as public order offences or that harassment charges can be brought.They have also recently introduced a discrimination law which protects people when applying for a job or a house for example.

However, this doesn’t extend to transgender people.

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