IT IS desperately sad that just days after the new Equality Act came into force on October 1, there was a violent attack on a young gay man in the centre of Oxford.

This was just months after a stabbing in North Oxford, which Police described as a homophobic attack.

Oxford is a vibrant, multicultural and inclusive community. However it’s clear there are still a few bigots around who can’t accept equality.

In an open, free and democratic society, homophobic hate crime cannot be tolerated and must be challenged.

ANDREW COLES, TREVOR PITMASN, SAM WEBSTER-MOORE, Equality reps, Unite the Union, Horspath Road, Oxford