01/04/2022
It has long been the contention of gay activists that LGBTQIA people are productive members of society whereas homophobes and transphobes are anti-social psychopaths. Well, that was the conclusion of a court that has now ruled on the previously reported murder of much loved bisexual psychiatrist Doctor Gary Jenkins. Judge Daniel Williams, issuing sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court last Friday handed down prison terms totalling more than seventy years against Jason Edwards,, Lee Strickland, and Dionne Timms-Williams. In the trial which took place in January, the horrified jurors heard of the savagery of their homophobic attack which killed Doctor Jenkins, whose family and children have been devastated by the murder. Iestyn Wyn, campaigns, policy and research manager at Stonewall Cymru, said “As people across the UK mourn the heart-breaking loss of Dr Jenkins, the Welsh and UK governments must take urgent action to challenge all forms of anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime, and ensure that every lesbian, gay, bi and trans person is free to be themselves.” Others went further, with one blogger remarking “Time for the death penalty to be reintroduced for aggravated hate crimes”.
