The family of teenager Sophie Lancaster, who was murdered for being different, have spoken out after controversial comments made on ITV's Loose Women.
Ofcom, the broadcasting watchdog, revealed earlier this month that they had received over 60 reports in response to the presenter's reaction to a picture of a 'goth baby.'
During the hit ITV panel show, Kaye Adams, Katie Piper, Judi Love and Nadia Swahala discussed whether parents should impose their lifestyle choices on their children.
READ MORE: Triple blow for Northern Quarter as THIRD trader announces closure
The debate was sparked after one mother turned her entire home into the real life Addams Family following the release of Netflix's new show Wednesday and has now resulted in 66 complaints to Ofcom, the Mirror reports.
After watching the clip, Katie Piper could be heard gasping before saying: "I don't like that interior."
She continued: "It's all black and dark. Babies don't like that. I'm just going to put it out there it's giving me satanic vibes, it's giving me bad energy, it's toxic, I don't like it and also it's a baby. The cots are tomb. You can't put your baby in a grave."
Following the Ofcom complaints, the Sophie Lancaster Foundation has spoken out on the Loose Women segment which they claimed 'mocked alternative subcultures'.
In a lengthy Facebook post, Sophie's family penned: "Thanks for your comments and for tagging us in your messages about ITV’s Loose Women. The discussion was about bringing up children in the Gothic style home it featured. One of the panel talked about ‘satanic vibes, bad energy’ and used the word ‘toxic’.
"One of the things we say at the start of every education session, is that ‘this is a safe space.’ We encourage discussion about alternative subcultures and the issues and misunderstandings that cause such negativity and prejudice to be directed at people in these communities.
By talking and sharing our story we have a real opportunity to change mindset or at least promote a different perspective."
The post went on: "Freedom of speech and personal choice mean that we all have different views and different tastes.
"As a charity that promotes celebrating difference we think there’s enough room for us all in this world. But people on TV have a real responsibility. Why use their platform to reiterate the tired old stereotypes and negativity that do such harm?
"By all means, say that something is not to your taste – but satanic and toxic? That is nothing but judgement. Surely we have a responsibility to do better than that?
"We know all too well that judgement and intolerance lead to bullying, prejudice and violence. Attitudes like these also encourage the narrative that alternative people are complicit when they suffer at someone else’s hands, for somehow bringing this negativity on themselves.
"It’s a New Year. Let’s start as we mean to go on. Let’s stop judging people and communities from the outside, when we know nothing about them.
"Any time any of the panel want to come to a festival or event with us and meet our brilliant, positive, creative and generous community, we’d be delighted to welcome them."
The murder of Sophie Lancaster occurred in Lancashire in August 2007. The victim and her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, were attacked by a group of teenage boys while walking through Stubbylee Park in Bacup, Rossendale.
The gang attacked Sophie’s boyfriend first and then turned on her, carrying out a brutal and sustained attack. Sophie remained in hospital for 13 days, before following medical advice, the family agreed to life support being switched off.
She died on 24 August 2007; she was just 20 years old. Sophie’s mother, Sylvia, who died last year, said that she had seen at first-hand the abuse and prejudice her daughter had previously been subjected to - all because of how she dressed.
READ NEXT:
Police respond after Benjamin Mendy found not guilty of six counts of rape
'Evri kept ignoring me so I told them their driver set my house on fire'
Heartbreak as 'selfless, beautiful' 16-year-old dies 'after contracting Strep A'
Dangerous sexual predator with 'depraved desires' subjected girl to years of abuse
