Melanie Nathan – April 05-2011.

Glasgow, the setting for the much lauded lesbian TV series, Lip Service – It matters not where one lives or how friendly the laws of a country may or may not be…. Homophobia is traumatic for the victim – whenever and wherever perpetuated and suffered, and so  often result in serious trauma and the reaction where a victim in order to survive – leaves the place of confrontation – maybe even for lands afar.

A lesbian police officer who suffered homophobic abuse from her sergeant has won her sex discrimination claim. Pc Tracey West was regularly taunted by Sgt Michael Service, who claimed gay officers were “poofs” and “freaks”.

Pc West was so traumatized by her six-month ordeal that she resigned from Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary and emigrated to Australia. The 42-year-old had sued the force and Sgt Service for discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

She won her case after an employment tribunal in Glasgow ruled she was subjected to a relentless series of homophobic conduct. Sgt Service has been ordered to pay Pc West £7,500, while her former employers must pay £2,500.  A hearing in Glasgow was told the abuse started in early 2007 at the force headquarters in Dumfries.

Sgt Service first made a remark to Pc West that he would pass paperwork over the “dyke” to her at the office they shared. Pc West later joined the Gay Police Association, and Sgt Service claimed members of the group were all “poofs” and “freaks”. Sgt Service also told her that one of her own parents must be gay.

READ MORE - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-12960343