Family of friends of the murdered Jody Dobrowski got on their hands and knees with South London community leaders and supporters to plant a memorial garden in Clapham Common on Thursday evening, commemorating the International Day Against Homophobia.
Dobrowski was beaten to death in October 2005, having suffered fatal injuries from the beating including a swollen brain and broken nose. His assailants Thomas Pickford and Scott Walker have since been sentenced to life imprisonment.
In the vicinity of Dobrowski’s murder location the garden is based on a tranquil grassy knoll, protected by trees near Clapham Common’s bandstand.
Myself, planting a flower
In a moving and powerful moment of resistance, Jody’s mother Sheri Dobrowski noted that Jody’s death was one of many “that will not be forgotten”.
“We’ve all come here to plant new life together as to remember those who suffer and die simply for being who they are” Dobrowski said.
“Jody did not die because of his sexuality,” added Mike Haddock, Jody’s stepfather. “Jody died because of someone else’s prejudice and hatred.”
Commenting on the event’s significance and The International Day Against Homophobia, PC Graham Alldus, Lambeth’s LGBT liaison officer noted in 80 counties still criminalise homosexuality and condemn consensual same sex acts with imprisonment. It was only in 1990, the General Assembly of the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from their list of mental disorders.
Lambeth’s LGBT liaison officer PC Graham Alldus
“We’ve come a tremendously long way in this country since the decriminalisation of sexuality in 1967,” he told GAY.COM. “There’s still a long way to go internationally.”
“We know from Jody’s death, homophobia kills. This living memorial we’re doing is something that will endure, and last…and grow.”
Alldus said while homophobic attacks happen often in Lambeth, the biggest challenge is getting victims to report the abuse. He said victims can always contact LGBT liaison officers, like himself, to speak with if they are uncomfortable speaking to the police.
“We always encourage people to report particularly LGBT hate crime,” he added.
“If someone behaves homophobically, unless they’re challenged about it or police are told, they’re likely to repeat their behaviour, and it’s likely to snowball. So what becomes one day’s verbal assault, could be next day’s physical assault, and could be another day’s murder.”
Lambeth council leader Steve Reed (on right)
Steve Reed, leader of Lambeth council, further emphasised that Lambeth has one of the largest LGBT communities in the country, a fact that the council is “very proud of”.
By participating in the memorial, Reed said the council, along with the community, was making a statement that “we’re proud of the fact that we’re diverse and we’re not going to let people come and hurt and kill and slash our community.”
Christopher Desusa, a community safety manager of Lambeth, said that while Lambeth has a very high hate crime record, the rise of people reporting homophobic hate crime is encouraging.
“We know from evidence that homophobic crime is really underreported,” Desusa, said. “The fact that people are coming forward and reporting the crime means that they have confidence that the police and other agencies will work together to help them.”
Jody Dobrowski’s memorial on May 17th was one of more than 80 events commemorating the International Day Against Homophobia around the UK.
To view a brief video of the memorial click here.
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