Anger as homophobic leaflets handed out ahead of Kent Pride

Pride organisers have been left angry and upset after homophobic leaflets encouraging residents not to support Margate’s Kent Pride event this weekend (August 29) were distributed around the town.

Hundreds of residents have received the leaflets through their letter boxes urging them to “save” themselves and stay away from the weekend’s festivities in the seaside resort town, Kent Online reports.

The hateful message reads: “Save yourself and your children from homosexuality.

“Say No! Do the right thing and don’t support the Kent Gay Pride Parade on the 29th of August in our neighbourhood”.

And in a vile yet commendable pun, it adds: “Margate stays proud and will never be MarGAYte”.

Responding to the letters, Kent Pride volunteer coordinator Tony Butcher said: “This is a horrendous act and these people are inciting a riot. The comments are absurd, we are people who like other people of the same sex and to suggest we are paedophiles is absolutely ridiculous.

“I am upset inside that this propaganda is being pushed, and concerned that some people will actually read it and believe it. These extremist views are dangerous and inciting.

“This is the same as race hatred, directed towards the gay community, it has to be stopped and if they carry on they should be arrested. It is heartbreaking that this still happens in 2015 and it is a sorry episode for society.”

Up to 5,000 people are expected to head to the town for Saturday’s event in Margate. To book tickets or for more information about what’s on at Kent Pride this weekend click here.

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