Highlights from last week – A wheelchair user who was refused access to buses 28 times is initiating legal action, Google’s launched its Legalise Love campaign, Stonewall’s released its School Report 2012 and John Terry’s been cleared of charges of racism.
A wheelchair user, who was refused permission to board buses on 28 occasions, has started a campaign to expose the ordeal disabled people face when travelling. Ray Bellisario said he plans to initiate legal action against TfL, the bus companies and the minister for disabled people for breaching the Equality Act 2010. The Equality Act 2010 obliges everyone who provides a service to the public, including bus operators, to take reasonable steps to adjust their services for disabled people. The minister for disabled people, Maria Miller, has since responded, calling for a change in attitude and behaviour towards wheelchair users and other disabled people.
Google’s recently launched its Legalise Love campaign in support of decriminalising homosexuality and eliminating homophobia. Google hopes to use its global influence to create inclusive workplaces and societies all around the world. Of course, not everybody is happy about this – the American Families Association has announced their plans to boycott Google products. However, this might not prove easy given the almost monopoly-like power of Google. While Google’s campaign is a good example of how influential organisations can have an impact on fostering more diverse societies, it also shows, as this article in the Guardian argues, the potential of big corporations to lobby governments in their favour.
Stonewall has launched its School Report 2012. The report found that the use of homophobic language is ‘endemic’ in schools, almost all (99%) gay young people hear the phrases ‘that’s so gay’ or ‘you’re so gay’ in school and 96% of gay pupils hear homophobic language such as ‘poof’ or ‘lezza’. More than half (55%) of lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils have experienced direct bullying. Three in five gay pupils who experience homophobic bullying say that teachers who witness the bullying never intervene.
Finally, John Terry, the footballer, has been cleared of racism against Anton Ferdinand. It was alleged he had insulted Mr Ferdinand in a Premier League match, describing him as ‘black’ and using swear words. Terry did not deny using the word ‘black’ and swearing at Ferdinand. However, the Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle said he had heard a great deal of evidence to show Mr Terry was not racist.
Came across something interesting? Email us – Equality.and.Diversity@lse.ac.uk.
