[Vicky.]

Thats very sad to hear...of anyone being attacked.

In the same way though, how can we be sure that the attacks are actually homophobic?

I mean, more people are coming out as gay and bi, so it would seem right that more gay people were attacked, as people are attacked for all sorts of reasons.

I know homophobia exists, and people DO get attacked just because of their sexuality, but I think the police are too quick to label attacks as homophobic/racist etc.

Its perfectly fine for a gay bloke to hit a straight bloke, but when it is the other way around, its automatically a homophobic attack. No matter what the circumstances beforehand.

Plus, this sounds awful, but I know a lot of gay people do play on it. Someone I know, I wouldnt say a mate, because I cant stand him, but I was out drinking with him about a month back and was getting cheeky to some random bloke when we were out. When they guy started being nasty back...my 'mate' said go on hit me, Il get you done straight away. The other bloke just left it at that, good on him, I certainly wouldnt with some idiot shouting in my face. My lad asked him afterwards what he meant by that, and he said that because he was gay, the other bloke would be locked up for it. Now...anyone think thats right?

On the other hand, my best mate was actually attacked on a night out for being gay. Yes hes one of those in your face types, but its still not acceptable.

Goes both ways.