Sackville councillor concerned over gay harassment incidents

A Sackville town councillor is working with the local RCMP to deter any further harassment against gays in the community.
Mike Tower, liaison councillor for public safety, said that a young woman had approached him last month to voice her concerns and fears over a number of unpleasant incidents she had been dealing with, which included being taunted with threatening, verbal remarks.
He said the woman also informed him that another of her friends was also being teased and hounded about her sexual orientation.
"It's an ugly thing to happen," Tower said.
"And we really have to do something, we have to find a way to bring up the respect in this town."
Although no one has been charged in these incidents, Tower referred to the insults and harassment as "gay-bashing" and said the community needs to do more to prevent these things from happening.
"If there's two, there's probably more," he added.
Tower said that he has discussed the problem with members of the Sackville RCMP and he is hoping to bring in a speaker from the Moncton district in order to raise more awareness of the issue, and to help people gain greater respect for others.
He hopes a presentation will be made to youth at both the high school and university level, as well as at a televised council meeting.