Man searched at airport on suspicion of paedophilia ‘because he had a camera and a boyfriend’

[WillParkinson]

Man searched at airport on suspicion of paedophilia ‘because he had a camera and a boyfriend’

A gay man was stopped at Gatwick airport last year by a Border Force officer who suspected he was ‘involved in paedophilia’ because he had a camera and a boyfriend, a report into controls at the airport has revealed.

The incident was recorded during observations of staff behaviour as part of an inspection at Gatwick airport’s north terminal by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration’s office, and highlighted by journalist David Hencke.

The report said some officers had “poor understanding of appropriate selection indicators and risk profiles in determining which passengers to challenge and in some cases were making judgements based on stereotypes.”

At the incident in question, inspectors observed a Border Force officer stopping a gay man who was travelling with his partner and whom the officer thought “might be involved in paedophilia”.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/06/18/man-searched-at-airport-on-suspicion-of-paedophilia-because-he-had-a-camera-and-a-boyfriend/

[Swede Atlanta]

1. The stereotypes continue........

Conservatives' talking points about gays that they are out to molest or "convert" your children has been effective. This of course has not basis in fact. Most child molestations are done by heterosexual men against girls.

I thought Europeans were generally a little more educated on such matters but I guess ignorance or bigotry are hard to eliminate.

[Bluenorthwest]

2. That ignorance is global, and hard workers on the internet have promulgated it around the world

That bullshit is far too accepted by people who should know better. Those 'stereotypes and caricatures' are intentionally crafted to get engender more injustices and violence against us. It is an organized effort.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

3. I guess the good news is this was noted as part of an inspection of the inspectors.

Somehow I doubt our own border people would be as forthcoming with their own faults and bigotries. Heck, we probably have a law that says calling out border patrol agents for their "deeply held beliefs" is illegal.