Raphael Kohn suffered homophobic abuse at Birmingham Pride (Picture: West Midlands Police / Raphael Kohn)
A student has vowed to bounce back to Birmingham Pride next year ‘even gayer’ after he was called a ‘p**fy twat’.
Raphael Kohn, 20, had only moments before finished marching on September 24 when he was verbally abused.
The third-year medical student at the University of Birmingham tweeted that he was called a ‘p**fy twat’ by the man, who had ‘hate’ tattooed on his left hand.
Repeatedly asking Kohn to ‘get the f**k out the way’, the man took off his blazer and screamed, ‘I don’t give a f**k about gay shit,’ according to video footage.
Pride-goers nearby asked the man why he was being homophobic, which the man denied being as he threatened to punch Kohn.
He called Kohn a ‘f***ing little fanny’, the video showed.
Kohn told Metro.co.uk he had marched with GLADD (The Association of LGBTQ+ Doctors and Dentists) before the alleged hate crime happened.
He said: ‘We went through the whole parade and once we were finished, I was on my way to get a bus.
‘At the bus stop in the city centre just near New Street Station, this guy, seemingly drunk, was walking around and started shouting homophobic abuse at me and threatening to punch me. It was really quite frightening!
‘I’m incredibly thankful to the bystanders who intervened and got between me and the man, and the people who got me home safe that day.’
In an appeal on Thursday, West Midlands Police shared a photograph of a man officers wish to speak to in connection to the incident.
The force said: ‘Do you know who this man is? We would like to speak to him after a man suffered homophobic abuse and was threatened during this year’s Pride festival in Birmingham.
Police are looking to speak to the above man (Picture: West Midlands Police)
‘It happened shortly before 3.30pm on 24 September.
‘If people recognise him contact us on Live Chat via our website or alternatively call us on 101 quoting 20/828812/22.’
‘Our first priority will always be to stand up for the rights of Birmingham’s citizens, whoever they are and whatever their background.
‘West Midlands Police will never accept or tolerate attacks on anyone simply for being who they are.
‘There is no place for hate in our city.’
Anti-LGBTQ+ violence has been rising at a record-breaking rate in the UK for years.
The incident happened in broad daylight as the Birmingham Pride parade wound down (Picture: Getty Images Europe
Raphael Kohn only moments before the alleged homophobic hate crime (Picture: Raphael Kohn)
Reports of homophobic hate crimes have more than doubled in five years, from 10,003 in 2017-17 to 26,824 five years later, VICE World News reported.
In the past year, the figure swelled by 32% in what police believe to be the largest increase in homophobic hate crimes seen since records began.
Violence driven by the hatred of someone’s gender identity rose by 240%, from 1,292 reports five years ago to 4,399 in 2021-22.
Out of the UK’s 45 police forces, only five saw a drop in reports of homophobic hate crimes compared to the previous year.
Merseyside Police reported the highest upswing from 64 in 2014-15 to 1,618 between 2021 and 2022.
But these numbers are likely even higher. Anti-LGBTQ+ violence charity Galop found only one in eight queer victims report hate crimes to the police.
Violence driven by hatred for someone’s sexuality or gender identity has rocketed for years (Picture: Getty Images Europe)
Of those who do, only 14% are actually resolved by police, the investigative journalism unit Liberty Investigates found.
‘Looking to the future, I am of course incredibly concerned by the huge increases in hate crimes targeted at LGBTQ+ people, especially trans people who face so many challenges that I as a cisgender man am fortunate not to face,’ Kohn said.
‘It is a disgrace that our government, and so many people with a platform to make some real, positive change for trans people, refuse to do so and constantly peddle transphobia and make a society in which hate towards LGBTQ+ people can still happen and not have any consequences.’
‘I worry greatly that I, as a queer person am not safe in Birmingham. We’re here, we’re queer and we deserve to be so safely, openly and proudly.’
‘I said at the time I’ll be back next year with more glitter and even gayer,’ Kohn added, ‘and I will, mark my words. I won’t let this stop me.’
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‘I won’t let this stop me.’Â
