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LGBTQ teenagers 'verbally abused' in rainbow flag row town Teenagers 'verbally abused' in rainbow flag row town
(about 2 hours later)
A group of teenagers campaigning against a town's decision not to fly the rainbow flag say they have received homophobic insults from passers-by.A group of teenagers campaigning against a town's decision not to fly the rainbow flag say they have received homophobic insults from passers-by.
The 15 to 17-year-olds organised an event to support the annual Oxford Pride in Abingdon town centre.The 15 to 17-year-olds organised an event to support the annual Oxford Pride in Abingdon town centre.
They said they were "shocked" by the negative responses, which came mainly from "older generations".They said they were "shocked" by the negative responses, which came mainly from "older generations".
Pride chair Rob Jordan said it showed why the council to had to show support for its LGBTQ community.Pride chair Rob Jordan said it showed why the council to had to show support for its LGBTQ community.
Important issueImportant issue
The event took place in the wake of Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council's refusal to fly the rainbow flag from the town hall to support the Pride event in 2017.The event took place in the wake of Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council's refusal to fly the rainbow flag from the town hall to support the Pride event in 2017.
Campaigners said they were "shocked and appalled" and, following pressure from a local MP, the council agreed to set up a working group to review the "raising of flags and banners".Campaigners said they were "shocked and appalled" and, following pressure from a local MP, the council agreed to set up a working group to review the "raising of flags and banners".
The group of nine young people, some of whom identified themselves as LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer), were working as part of their National Citizen Service (NCS).The group of nine young people, some of whom identified themselves as LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer), were working as part of their National Citizen Service (NCS).
They received a number of homophobic comments as they tried to raise money and talk to people about the issue.They received a number of homophobic comments as they tried to raise money and talk to people about the issue.
'So shocked''So shocked'
One man said he would "not let a gay babysit children".One man said he would "not let a gay babysit children".
"I was so shocked because in our generation people aren't against the LGBTQ community," said Serena Harrop, 16, from Berinsfield."I was so shocked because in our generation people aren't against the LGBTQ community," said Serena Harrop, 16, from Berinsfield.
"We are just trying to raise awareness that some people are gay and that it's a normal thing.""We are just trying to raise awareness that some people are gay and that it's a normal thing."
NCS team leader Abdulla Omaigan said he was "really impressed" with the maturity the teenagers showed.NCS team leader Abdulla Omaigan said he was "really impressed" with the maturity the teenagers showed.
Mr Jordan said he was not surprised, but it showed how important the flag issue had become.Mr Jordan said he was not surprised, but it showed how important the flag issue had become.
"If councillors think Abingdon is a hotbed of equality, well it is not," he said."If councillors think Abingdon is a hotbed of equality, well it is not," he said.
"The teens didn't deserve any of this abuse. This is why we need this kind of support, because this level of abuse is still there.""The teens didn't deserve any of this abuse. This is why we need this kind of support, because this level of abuse is still there."