A Bloodstock festival stage and Illamasqua make-up line are amongst numerous memorials to immortalize Sophia Lancaster on the alt. scene, whilst the tireless efforts of the S.O.P.H.I.E campaign have made her story something of a symbol for the alternative in wider culture. So do we need to talk about this issue again? In the utopia of a 'civilised society' we should never need to, but while intolerance exists and loose cannons in Canada's law enforcement still cite a victim's dress sense as incitement to the violent crime committed against them, the issue always burns. SinZine's Alyss Abyss argues that continuing to promote S.O.P.H.I.E, slutwalks - and the idea that dressing as you desire is a right and not a risky activity - is the only way to ensure there comes a day when showy and subcultural styles are so tolerated that the faces most associated with them are not those of 'weirdoes', 'freaks' and victims of hate crime.
When we get dressed in the morning or for a night out, most of us probably don’t think about the consequences of these outfits much. To go out for a fetish club, you might think about wearing a longer coat to cover your modesty or you might dress a little differently to visit your elderly relatives but, if you typically dress in some kind of alternative style, that’s probably what you’re wearing right now, without a care in the world. I’m sure Sophie Lancaster had that same care-free attitude when she put on an outfit on 11 August 2007 but that would be the last time she would get herself dressed. If you’re unaware of the story, Sophie and her boyfriend, Robert Maltby, were horrifically attacked because of what they were wearing. Both of them identified as Goths and were just minding their own business when they were brutally beaten by a group of other teenagers, just because of what they chose to wear that day. When they started on her boyfriend, Sophie tried to protect him and, in doing so, lost her life. They aren’t even the only ones who have suffered because of this; very recently, a couple where attacked on the Metrolink in Bury, again because of their dress sense. They were luckier and are still with us today but it was a hauntingly familiar story to those who have heard much about poor Sophie.
Some of you might be thinking that people get attacked all the time, for many different reasons and you’d be right but if you get attacked because of the colour of your skin or your sexuality, it’s classed as discrimination but is something like this any different? Sophie’s mum, Sylvia doesn’t think so and she has set up the Sophie Lancaster Foundation and started the Stamp Out Prejudice, Hated and Intolerance Everywhere (S.O.P.H.I.E.) campaign. The charity aims to educate about prejudice against those from alternative subcultures and campaign to have the law changed to include such attacks as Hate Crimes. Those who were close to Sophie don’t want to see her death be in vain and that’s why you can see hundreds of people supporting the excellent work done by the charity by wearing the S.O.P.H.I.E. wristbands and getting involved in other ways such as Bloodstock Open Air festival renaming their second stage to honour Sophie and makeup company Illamasqua donating money from some of their sales to help the charity.
It’s not just Goths who get into difficulties because of what they wear. Earlier this year, Michael Sanguinetti, a Toronto Police officer, suggested that woman should take more care with what they wear to look after their own safety. He said that women should stop dressing like sluts to avoid being raped. There was worldwide outrage at these comments, leading to a series of Slutwalks in cities across the globe. The idea that women are asking for it if they dress provocatively is ridiculous, especially when it’s not only women who are raped. Comments like this don’t help anyone. There is the idea that women are to blame if they are attacked. In contrast, others have suggested it’s just an idea of risk management, saying that the rapist is no less guilty but a woman can reduce her chances of being attacked if she dressed more conservatively.
The question is, should we think more carefully about how we dress? If we dressed in a way to blend in, that doesn’t provoke people, would these attacks cease? Probably not. People will still be attacked for one reason or another. Plus it takes away our freedom of expression, part of who we are. No one should have to change who they are to avoid persecution, whether that be the way they dress, their sexuality or the colour of their skin. There needs to be more education and solidarity across the alternative culture. The Sophie Lancaster Foundation is doing a lot of work to help this and the SlutWalks promoted another important point. We should be able to live in a society where we can be who we want to be and so I walk proudly down the street in my knee high Docs, short skirt and lots of black, wearing my S.O.P.H.I.E. wristband, hoping that, one day, ganging up on someone for dressing like a ‘freak’ and calling them mosher in a derogatory way will be seen as badly as using the N word or attacking a same sex couple for holding hands.
Where to find out more & get involved:
