An attack at a picnic for Trans Pride has shocked and angered the community after attendees were shot at with BB gun pellets. The news comes after a series of attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community in recent weeks, with this latest incident on Sunday (July 2) being investigated as a hate crime by Avon and Somerset Police.
Several people were hit with gel pellets after two people fired in the direction of the Trans Pride picnic in Castle Park. The annual picnic followed the Bristol Pride dog show and is part of more than a week of events in the lead-up to Bristol Pride Day taking place this Saturday, July 8.
Officers were called at around 3pm on Sunday and spoke with the event organisers and victims. The force had no reports of any serious injuries, but attendees were left shaken by the incident.
Read more: Arson attack on Bristol Pride billboard 'shows why Pride event is needed'
Kaz Self, of Trans Pride South West, said: "Trans Pride South West are disappointed that their picnic event was disrupted by two youths shooting plastic pellets into the crowd using a rapid fire weapon. At a time when the LGBT+ community (and in particular the trans community) are experiencing an increase in hate crime this sort of attack makes us feel more vulnerable.
"The event itself was a quiet celebratory picnic with families and young children present. The trans community should be able to hold events like this without fear of attack."
Daryn Carter MBE, Director of Bristol Pride, said: "We are deeply saddened to hear that someone decided to fire BB pellets at those attending the Trans Pride picnic on Sunday afternoon. An event where people simply wanted to come together to enjoy a picnic together as a community.
"They were swiftly chased off and the police are dealing with the matter as a hate crime. Whilst many may say they are shocked to hear this, it is a sad reality that the community is currently under attack and acts as a further reminder that online hate can enter everyday life.
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"It highlights why we have Pride events and why we all must stand together in solidarity with the Trans community. The event was not disrupted further and went ahead to be an event filled with joy and togetherness."
The rights of transgender people is one of the several polarising culture wars constantly debated in the press, on social media and by politicians. While a 2020 report by the primary press regulator, IPSO, found that the 400 per cent increase in mentions of trans issues between 2009 and 2019 had grown to use more “respectful” language, it also discovered that coverage had since become “heated” and “strident”.
Chief Inspector Stephanie McKenna said: "We take hate crime very seriously and will not tolerate it. No-one should have to put up with offences like this, or face discrimination or prejudice just for being themselves.
"We’ve made contact with the organisers of Bristol Pride to keep them updated on our investigation and we encourage anyone who has been a victim of hate crime to report it. As with all large events, officers will be in Bristol this weekend to keep the community safe, and if anyone has any concerns, please stop and speak to one of our officers who will be happy to help."
Councillor Sarah Classick for Hengrove and Whitchurch Park was also present at the picnic. "I've been shocked by this attack all afternoon but now I'm angry," she began on Twitter.
"This was an attack on a group of trans people who were simply visibly existing together in public. The goal of this manufactured fear mongering is not to protect anybody but to drive trans people out of public."
The incident on Sunday comes after a series of aggressive attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community in recent weeks as a Bristol Pride billboard was set alight in an arson attack and rainbow doormats were vandalised with spray paint.
Hate crimes against transgender people rocketed by 56 per cent in just 12 months. In the most recent data, almost 156,000 offences were recorded by police in 2021-22 detailed in a report by the Home Office in 2022.
There are a number of events programmed this week ahead of Pride Day on Saturday, including Pride Comedy Night at Bristol Old Vic on Friday (July 7). The parade will march through Bristol city centre from 10.45am.
Police are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area between 2.30-3pm who may have seen two men, one described as white and the other as mixed race, both in their early 20s and wearing black clothing. They were seen leaving the scene in the direction of Bristol Bridge.
If you saw anything suspicious, or have any relevant footage which could aid our investigation, please contact 101 and quote reference 5223157339.
