'We no longer feel safe at our workplace' – staff of popular LGBTQ+ inclusive café in Inverness issue statement after hate crime incident
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The owners of Inverness Xoko Bakehouse raised their concerns over what they claim was "inadequate" police response after suffering repeated hate incidents.
A popular venue on Bridge Street, the cafe owned by Fernando Basaldua Bazaldua and Tristan Aitchison prides itself for trying to offer a safe and inclusive space for everyone.
However in the past months the cafe has been targeted by hate crime – particularly since they started to fly the Progress Pride flag outside the shop, with the flag being repeatedly ripped off, verbal abuse and people spitting on the shop windows.
In a statement shared on their social media today, they said they came to work to discover that the pride flag displayed outside the cafe had been purposely torn down and finding an "item" through their letterbox.
They said in their statement: "This year we have had our windows spat on multiple occasions. We have had individuals verbally abuse us, told us we are going to hell and even been called racists for flying the progressive pride flag.
"We feel the response from Police Scotland has been inadequate. We no longer feel safe at our workplace or indeed walking to and from work in the early hours of the morning.
"XOKO is a bakehouse and coffee bar which tries to offer a safe and inclusive space for everyone. This is not a novel idea. In cities across the world other venues like ours exist. The police and authorities should be embarrassed and ashamed that an establishment like ours is repeatedly targeted.
"We are not looking for sympathy. We are a business and a team of people who work hard. We are proud of what we do to provide an inclusive space where we, our community and everyone can be themselves. We will not stop doing what we do or being who we are."
"However, is Inverness a safe place for its LGBTQ+ community and visitors? Given our experience, it is not."
Police Scotland have been contacted for comment.
