Gay hate crimes rise in Scotland for fourth year in a row with offences up by 5 per cent in 2018/19
HOMOPHOBIC and biphobic hate crimes have risen for the fourth year — with 1,176 charges.
Offences went up five per cent in 2018/19, Crown Office figures show.
There has now been an increase every year since prejudice against sexual orientation was made illegal in 2010 — with the exception of 2014/15.
Sophie Bridger, of equality charity Stonewall Scotland, said: “Gay, bi and trans people face shocking levels of abuse.”
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Racist incidents remain the most common hate crime despite a fall of 12 per cent, with 2,880 cases.
Crimes linked to religion fell to 529, their lowest since 2004/05. Disability hate crime charges rose one per cent to 289.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Many incidents go unreported.
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"We are determined to avoid a culture of acceptance.”
We told earlier how the church warned strong Catholic beliefs in Scotland such as opposition of gay marriage and abortion could be seen as a "hate crime".
The church claim a "climate of heightened sensitivity" could jeopardise freedom of speech and that expressing the Catholic beliefs on sexuality could soon be seen as an attempt to stir up hatred.
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