The Peter Tatchell Foundation comments on historic allegations relating to the treatment of the LGBT+ community by the West Midlands Police.
West Midland’s Chief Constable was challenged at Birmingham Pride over his force's refusal to apologise for its past witch-hunting of the LGBT+ community.
The first request for an apology was made at Birmingham Pride in 2021, and subsequent requests have been made, the most recent earlier this year.
There has been no engagement and still no apology, although other forces are engaging.
As Saturday’s Pride march began, Chief Constable Craig Guildford was confronted by Pliny Soocoormanee, a West Midlands resident, and Executive Officer at the Peter Tatchell Foundation.
Mr Guildford was reminded that in the decades before the full decriminalisation of homosexuality in 2003, West Midlands officers went out of their way to target and arrest thousands of gay and bisexual men for consenting, victimless behaviour.
They were one of the most zealously homophobic police forces in the country, with arrest figures way above the national average.
Pliny said, "The West Midlands force targeted consenting, victimless behaviour that harmed no one.
Over the decades, it wrecked the lives of thousands of LGBT+ people.
“Mr Guildford has promised to respond this time, and we look forward to a speedy and positive dialogue.
LGBTs in the West Midlands deserve this."
Police forces worldwide have apologised for similar behaviour but West Midlands won’t discuss it.
In contrast, two other major UK police services are engaging positively and constructively with the #ApologiseNow campaign launched by the Peter Tatchell Foundation.
While discussions are ongoing, we will not be releasing the names of these forces.
West Midlands Police have failed to respond to an invitation to attend a meeting at the House of Lords on 7 June to discuss the case for an apology with MPs and Lords, chaired by Baroness Helena Kennedy KC.
Foundation director, Peter Tatchell, comments: “The failure of the police to say whether they will apologise is an act of bad faith.
It shows contempt for the LGBT+ community.
“The lack of engagement by West Midland’s police is extremely disappointing and sends a very negative signal to the LGBT+ community.
We hope they will reconsider and make an apology before Birmingham Pride this Saturday.
“The former Chief Constable, Sir David Thompson, apologised in 2020 to the black community for the history of racism by its officers.
This apology was applauded.
It strengthens the case for a similar apology to the LGBT+ community.
“A formal apology would draw a line under past homophobic persecution and help improve LGBT+ trust and confidence in the police, which is what we all want.”
