Improving community safety for LGBTQ+ people in Redbridge

News - 18 February 2025

Redbridge Rainbow are offering free workshops and advice sessions to help local organisations, groups, clubs, businesses and others to increase community safety for LGBTQ+ people in Redbridge and support community safety.
An illustration showing different pride flags and text that reads 'community safety for LGTBQ+ people in Redbridge'

LGBTQ+ people’s experiences of safety, abuse and hate crime

Statistics show that LGBTQ+ people are at greater risk of hate crime and abuse. Incidents have a profound affect on people and often means they do not feel able to live as they would like to.

  • Two-thirds (64%) of LGBTQ+ people had experienced anti-LGBT+ violence or abuse at some point.
  • One third (34%) of Black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBT people have experienced a hate crime or incident in the past twelve months, compared to one in five white LGBT people (20%).
  • Less than half (44%) of LGBTQ+ people feel safe holding their partner’s hand in public.

Research from Redbridge Rainbow Community shows that LGBTQ+ people in Redbridge experience different kinds of hate crime and abuse:

‘In certain areas, I don’t feel like I can hold my partner’s hand without feeling threatened.’

‘I sometimes get a laughing reaction, or I overhear comments about me when entering certain establishments or in public places.’

‘There has been an increase of verbal homophobia.’

‘I censor some of my behaviour and couch what I say sometimes.’

Help increase community safety for LGBTQ+ people in Redbridge

Redbridge Rainbow Community are working with local organisations, community groups, clubs, businesses and others to help them to better understand hate crime and abuse against LGBTQ+ people and what actions they can take to prevent it and increase safety and confidence for LGBTQ+ people in Redbridge. 

Redbridge Rainbow community are running workshops and advice sessions, offering advice and providing resources to help local organisations, groups, clubs, businesses and others to increase community safety for LGBTQ+ people in Redbridge and support a zero-tolerance approach to LGBTQ+ hate crime. 

Workshops can be provided face-to-face or online as standalone meetings or as part of other meetings or events. Resources include stickers, badges, flyers, posters and other resources. #

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