[Glenn.]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

Oops, I may need to clarify my position more.

I did say in my post we don't know WHO did this.
As to the individual or individuals identity we don't.
However just about all the rest of my post was indicating this blacking out of the rainbow design of this bench was more than likely done from homophobic thinking and actions.
In my view, the weight in favour of that is extremely strong, indeed overwhelming.

I say again, WHY would any person or persons even think of blacking out the rainbow design of this bench, never mind actually ending up doing so, UNLESS those doing it ARE homophobic.
I can only answer myself one way as to that, which is, because he/she/they ARE.

[Vicky.]

Bloody ridiculous and petty. Also imo clearly homophobic

[Livia]

The rainbow was a symbol of hope during the pandemic. Maybe it was an anti-vaxxer!

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by Livia

The rainbow was a symbol of hope during the pandemic. Maybe it was an anti-vaxxer!

[Crimson Dynamo]

New suspect in this case has been announced

Spoiler:

[Maru]

Originally Posted by Crimson Dynamo

New suspect in this case has been announced

Spoiler:

Youtube video

[Glenn.]

The chair of an LGTBQ+ group has praised a community's "heartwarming" response after its Pride-themed bench was set on fire in a suspected arson attack.

The colourful bench on Windmill Hill in Hitchin was set on fire between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

The local Pride group, North Herts Pride, set up a fundraising page for the bench to be repaired and reached its fundraising target within just two hours.

Kit Rees, chair of the group, told ITV News Anglia that the community response had been "fantastic".

"It has turned more into a thing that's brought us closer together and has proved to be a somewhat more positive thing than the initial destruction," they said.

"I think that if I was to say anything to the people that did it, then I would probably say thanks because you've just made us all stronger. And also, get a grip.

"Our community is fantastic, we've had so much support so swiftly.

"There is absolutely nothing this community will not do to support each other and this act has proved that.

"What we suppose is an act of hate has just brought to the surface so much love."

Police have launched an investigation and are appealing for any witnesses to get in touch.

[Glenn.]

These homophobes really don’t like benches huh? So fragile of them.

[BBXX]

Originally Posted by Glenn.

These homophobes really don’t like benches huh? So fragile of them.

Maybe they think “sitting on wood” will make them gay.

[Glenn.]

Originally Posted by BBXX

Maybe they think “sitting on wood” will make them gay.

Who knows? They’re so thick.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Looks like it may have been struck by lightning!

[Cherie]

Vandalising park equipment is a national sport whatever it represents


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0qg5lx3le0o

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4njngwek11o

[Crimson Dynamo]

I think the problem is under 18 kids more than anything else

probably high on street drugs like cannabis

[Glenn.]

Nothing says “national sport” like targeted arson rooted in bigotry. The mental gymnastics you’re doing to avoid calling it what it is—homophobia—is almost impressive. Almost.

[Glenn.]

Originally Posted by Cherie

Its funny that you are trying to imply that ONLY benches dedicated to your community are targetted when that is not the case at all, any bench is up for grabs whatever it represents, you can deny it all you like but the evidence is everywhere

No one’s claiming only Pride benches ever get vandalised. The point is this one was deliberately torched because it represented the LGBTQ+ community.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by BBXX

What's funny?

Originally Posted by Livia

Over the last ten years Jewish graves have been desecrated, headstones smashed or daubed with swastikas. Jewish graves in the UK, London, Manchester, Kent, Belfast.... I mean... When this was mentioned before I remember being told by one of TiBB's gay community that it was probably just high spirits.

What's funny is the "breaking windows in a synagogue" line used to reinforce your point, when anti-Semitic acts have been excused time and again on here particularly (but not solely) by some members of TiBB's gay community. Now you're using it to reinforce your point. I am criticised for calling out anti-Semitism by people who aren't clear in their head what it is - racism - then accused of being a racist myself when I criticise Islam and its misogynistic, homophobic, murderous doctrines. Honestly, this place.

[BBXX]

Originally Posted by Livia

What's funny is the "breaking windows in a synagogue" line used to reinforce your point, when anti-Semitic acts have been excused time and again on here particularly (but not solely) by some members of TiBB's gay community. Now you're using it to reinforce your point. I am criticised for calling out anti-Semitism by people who aren't clear in their head what it is - racism - then accused of being a racist myself when I criticise Islam and its misogynistic, homophobic, murderous doctrines. Honestly, this place.

Oh dear, Livia. You understand I was speaking as a general sense, within wider society, and not within the confines of just TiBB and one of its gay members, right?

A few bad opinions of some forum members who happen to be gay doesn't determine the opinions of entire demographics of people, just like a few extremists throwing gays of buildings in the Middle East doesn't determine the actions of entire demographic of people.

You continue to paint entire demographics with broad brush strokes based on limited experience with a handful and honestly, it makes your opinions look extremely narrow-minded.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by BBXX

Oh dear, Livia. You understand I was speaking as a general sense, within wider society, and not within the confines of just TiBB and one of its gay members, right?

A few bad opinions of some forum members who happen to be gay doesn't determine the opinions of entire demographics of people, just like a few extremists throwing gays of buildings in the Middle East doesn't determine the actions of entire demographic of people.

You continue to paint entire demographics with broad brush strokes based on limited experience with a handful and honestly, it makes your opinions look extremely narrow-minded.

Oh dear BBXX, you picked the Jewish community to demonstrate your point despite the fact that Jews are castigated on this forum and the people who say the worst things get away with it. I've had my heritage, even my family ridiculed quite recently, the posts are probably still there because it's acceptable, it seems. Israel, you see. But hey, if it helps you make your point that the gay community face bigotry, you dig into it.

Oh, it's just a few extremists who kill gays in the Middle East, is it. Islam isn't anti-gay at all, right? Actually, they feel the same about Jews and gays, I am aware how they feel about my people, I'm surprised you don't know more about it yourself.

I'll close by saying honestly, all this for a bench. Broken gravestones with swastikas? High spirits. A vandalised bench? Homophobia.

[BBXX]

Originally Posted by Livia

Oh dear BBXX, you picked the Jewish community to demonstrate your point despite the fact that Jews are castigated on this forum and the people who say the worst things get away with it. I've had my heritage, even my family ridiculed quite recently, the posts are probably still there because it's acceptable, it seems. Israel, you see. But hey, if it helps you make your point that the gay community face bigotry, you dig into it.

I'm talking specifically about society in general, not this forum. I understand the world is a scary place for Jewish people currently, but my point remains - if there is an incident on something that symbolises a particular demographic, it's usually seen (by and large by society) as an attack on that demographic, rather than random. Whether it be a synagogue, a pride symbol, a church, whatever it may be.

Oh, it's just a few extremists who kill gays in the Middle East, is it. Islam isn't anti-gay at all, right? Actually, they feel the same about Jews and gays, I am aware how they feel about my people, I'm surprised you don't know more about it yourself.

I am aware Islam's attitudes towards homosexuality and have condemned it multiple times. People being throw off buildings is not a regular occurrence, it's an extreme one, and that doesn't make it okay but I'm saying that just because someone who follows Islam might condemn homosexuals it doesn't mean they would kill them. The same with any faith, and we shouldn't act like they would until they do. In the same way that some who follow Islam have enacted terror attacks, the vast majority have not and so they shouldn't all be views as potential terrorists.

I'll close by saying honestly, all this for a bench. Broken gravestones with swastikas? High spirits. A vandalised bench? Homophobia.

Not sure what this has to do with me, I've never endorsed that opinion.

[Niamh.]

Deleted some posts in here, I will be banning people from the thread if you carry on insulting each other

[Glenn.]

Do we know it’s a woman or was that just more dismissal?

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Glenn.

Do we know it’s a woman or was that just more dismissal?

well you seem to know the motivation without question so...

[Glenn.]

Originally Posted by Crimson Dynamo

well you seem to know the motivation without question so...

Ah, so now it’s “must’ve been a woman who placed the bench,” as if that somehow makes it less meaningful. Just another way to chip away at it without actually saying anything. Your respect for women seems to come and go. Fiercely performative when you’re using them to take aim at trans people, but oddly absent the rest of the time.

But hey, don’t let consistency get in the way of a good sneer.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Glenn.

Ah, so now it’s “must’ve been a woman who placed the bench,” as if that somehow makes it less meaningful. Just another way to chip away at it without actually saying anything. Your respect for women seems to come and go. Fiercely performative when you’re using them to take aim at trans people, but oddly absent the rest of the time.

But hey, don’t let consistency get in the way of a good sneer.

way to totally miss the point

[Glenn.]

You’ve spent the whole time in this thread trolling. Added literally nothing of worth but I’m the one who’s missed the point?

Ok bruh