I’ve had enough, says gay teacher in noose threat

Hate campaign victim is moving on because of ‘shocking’ attitudes

A GAY teacher says she is leaving Canterbury after becoming the victim of a hate campaign which saw a hangman’s noose hung outside her house.

Jacques Frances says she has been forced to sell up and seek a fresh start after 10 years in the area, where she claims to have endured some of the “worst experiences” in her life.

The 46-year-old told us she has been the victim of assault, trespassing and thefts – and overlooked for employment opportunities because of her sexuality.

She also recalled the chilling discovery of a noose hung up outside her home while she was living in Chilham, plunging her into a battle with anxiety.

She said: “I just couldn’t believe anyone could do that. It happened at a time when I was being more open about who I was. For me, it was a clear attack.

“I have had some of the worst experiences of my life here in Canterbury.”

Ms Frances said she moved to Canterbury with her now expartner 10 years ago after she enrolled on a religious course at the University of Kent.

During her life here, she worked part-time at Canterbury College for two years and is also a fully trained solicitor.

Having spent time in both London and Leicester she says she is shocked by attitudes to homosexuals in Kent, saying she feels worried every time she leaves her home in Chartham.

She said: “My home is on the market because I can’t live here with a sense of peace – it is impossible.

“I want to be able to live here but I don’t feel like I can. There is a limit for what a human being should have to put up with.

“I know politically things are changing but it has come too late for me.”

Her sentiments were echoed last month when gay campaigners Andrew Brettell and Martin Lammas announced they were moving from Canterbury to Norwich.

The duo, who founded Pride in Canterbury, claimed Norwich was a vibrant, gay-friendly city which could help them relax and feel comfortable.

In a goodbye letter published on their website they said: “Young, middle-aged or old, there is little for gay people in Canterbury.”

Ms Frances said she understood the decision, adding: “I was shocked but not surprised because there is nowhere for gay people to go here.”

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Jacques Frances