Actors in award-winning LGBT+ play 'pelted with stones in hate crime' after kissing in street
'The attack happened because we were embracing,' says Lucy Jane Parkinson
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Two actors starring in an award-winning LGBT+ play were pelted with stones in a “cowardly, homophobic hate crime” after kissing in the street.
Lucy Jane Parkinson said she and Rebecca Banatvala were targeted as they travelled to a performance of Rotterdam at the Nuffield Southampton Theatres (NST) in Southampton.
They were verbally abused and Ms Parkinson suffered minor injuries after being hit in the face with a missile thrown from a passing car.
The attack led to the cancellation of Saturday’s performance of the Olivier Award-winning play by Jon Brittain.
Ms Parkinson, who describes herself as a drag king, said: “The attack happened because we were embracing. There’s no mistake that this was a homophobic hate crime.
“It was a cowardly attack as it was a moving car. Our community shouldn’t have to tolerate this. This is why we have Pride.
“We should take all steps we can in the education system to help to eradicate this aggressive ignorance from strangers to other strangers.”
Ms Parkinson told the BBC she was struck and knocked to the ground as she kissed her partner. She said they heard “young boys laughing” as the car drove off.
The attack happened just days after it was reported that a lesbian couple were beaten by a group of youths on board a night bus in London.
Melania Geymonat, a 28-year-old Ryanair cabin crew member from Uruguay, and her girlfriend Chris said they were assaulted after “hooligans” demanded the couple kiss for their entertainment.
Five male youths aged between 15 and 18 have been arrested and released on police bail.
“We are devastated that this kind of behaviour is still so prevalent, a fact which reinforces the importance of this play’s message,” the production company behind Rotterdam said in a statement.
“The production have requested anyone with relevant information should contact the local police and assist with the inquiry.”
Hampshire Police confirmed it has received a report of homophobic abuse and that the matter was now under investigation.
“We have received a report from a third party relating to an incident which happened on Hill Lane, Southampton,” a police spokesperson said.
“It has been reported that homophobic abuse was shouted at two women, and stones thrown at them, by the occupants of a passing car.”
The two actors initially said they did not want to make a formal complaint before confirming on Sunday afternoon that they wanted the police to investigate.
Sam Hodges, the director and CEO of NST, said: “I am extremely sad that this sort of appalling behaviour is still happening anywhere, let alone in a city where we have worked so hard to promote a culture of tolerance, inclusivity and civic pride.
“Our thoughts are with the two actors in question and with the whole company. This only makes us more determined to tell these important stories on our stages.”