“goths dont do anything like that 2 animals so y say that when have u ever heard on the news that a goth has kill a animal”

“Well done Doka for helping organise it. i thought it got across the message really well. I was in the march on sunday and felt good that i along with all the people that turned up helped raise awareness of just how small minded people can be.


and judge judy.. eating cats?

good god.
I'd prefer chips.

Just one example of somebody that refuses to ignore the average 'Animal harming' sterotype attached to the alternative scenes.
i find it sad that some people cant seem to grasp that not everybody wants to conform.

Anyway well done everybody that took part. you should all be proud!”

“Ardent Admirer, Lonely Planet

Thank you for your beautiful prose, you must surely be a serene and beautiful person x”

“I'm a goth and i was on this march (fat bloke in top hat). I'm also a zoologist, cryptozoologist and head keeper at a zoo. I've spent my life working with animals all over the world. I have never known a goth to harm an animal. All the animal abuse cases i know of involved estate ttrash scum.”

“Repost from other thread but just wanted to agree with people's opinions (mostly) and add my own...

But anyway. Goths all look the same? hmmm, 'Goth' styles of dress I think are the most varied of any scene, in colour and style, If you lot attacking our dress sense out there think that blue jeans and a too tight tshirt is dressing individually, then crack on, we won't judge you for your beliefs.

Do us the same courtesy?

The march went really well and all the goth bashers on here are literally just proving our point, So thankyou to them too. Thankyou for all the support at the march everyone, I was proud to be there.

What is the problem really with the way people sress? Does all the black and spikes SCARE people? are you AFRAID of us? If so, surely thats your issue, to be dealt with on your own after consideration and thought? Goths aren't afraid of you, In fact most of the time we don't even listen to verbal abuse etc, it's just part of life. I think most of it stems from an inflexibility of mind, ignorance, arrogance and probably fear.

So why have a go at someone else (however dressed) at all? Goths don't, and not because we are "pussies" or whatever. We just don't feel the need to prove how "Hard" we are all the time. We already know how hard we are :)

Oh and if being "hard" is a group of 8 or more idiots kicking the life out of a girl and her boyfriend, WHY the hell would anyone want to be "hard!" Thats cowardly behaviour plain and simple! and it's disgusting.

Tell you what, keep your stupid comments in your mouths and maybe everyone might start to get along a bit more.

Cos this isn't going to be solved by writing new laws on it. People aren't allowed to racially or sexually discriminate, but it still happens!! What needs to be happening is a change of ATTITUDE, And that for me is what the S.O.P.H.I.E foundation is all about, awareness, making people that don't know goths, or anyone "different" not scared of us etc etc. Simplified a little there but point made I think.

To all the parents out there that may have heard such bad things about goths etc, That we all harm ourselves and animals, worship satan or other such nonsense.. Have you ever actually SEEN a goth do any of these ghastly things? Would you let a goth sit at your table with you? The answer to both is NO probably, I'm not judging you for that either, just wondering why and where your opinions came from..

How many goths go out collecting ASBOs?
How many goths have criminal records?
How many goths after education ages don't have a job?
How many goths do you see in the street throwing things at a people?

Not many I'll tell you. and why? Because goths are good, kind people for the most part, strong in character and independant yes, but thats worth your respect not your loathing.

Thankyou for your time.

Justin, lifelong alternative and proud.”

“i just wish i'd read this sooner :)

*summer, Plymouth*
you said " Lets see, if that were a big group of so called 'chavs' hanging around in the middle of a town centre they would be split up and moved on by the police, why do the police not do this with the goths?" here's some news for you, they do get moved along and split up. the amount of times you see the police turn up at virgin just to move them on is unbelievable. they're in a group, because its their group of friends. they arent exactly in your way now are they?

everytime i walk down my road, i get glass bottles thrown at me, stones, rocks, branches, ive even had a shoe thrown at me before. not forgetting the unopened beer can (that was some good beer) this is purely because i refuse to follow the efford fashion of being a chav. i am not a goth, im just not a chav.

this type of descrimination is what S.O.P.H.I.E. is about:
Stamp Out Prejudice Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere.
sophie died because she was different.


oh and btw. whoever it was that was saying about the goths killing the hamsters? well, put it this way, you dont want your cat running around outside on guy fawkes in efford. you wont be getting it back. the fireworks on their tails just about finish them off.
that would be the chavs doing that.”

“I'd just like to point out that i feel that it is highly stupid that the majority of the comments posted on this article actually exist. i also find it highly offensive to a large amount of my friends, who consider themselves Goths. You're simply showing the narrow- minded prejudice that we've been dealing with for a long time now. i dissagree, along with many others it seems, with the comments made about Goths being animal killers, satanists and many other stereotypes. I am not a Goth, personally speaking, but if i had to be put into any group, it would be the Goth/ Alternative group. If you actually stopped and took time to get to know these people then i feel your opinions would quite rapidly change. The point of the March For Sophie was to raise awareness of hatred and intolerance for ALL groups of people, not just the Goths/ Alternatives!! We are campaigning to try and get a halt put to prejudice and intolerance, yet you still persist in attacking us for no reason other than you believe all the bad, none of the good and because you cannot be bothered to find out or get to know us yourselves.
So come around, meet the "goth" kids who hang in town, and meet me, let the prejudice become a thing of the past!

I'd like to raise a salute to Doka Chapman and all the others who organised this and made it possible. proud to be a part.

R.I.P. Sophie Lancaster

Peace”

“Riiiiight. Miss_Anthrope - got to love ya!
Re this alleged animal torture.......i reckon the goth/emo/non conforming kids got sick of all the bullying and made up some stories to scare the others and make them cry - and it worked!! but sadly just fuelled the already misguided prejudice.
Suzannah - if you're as worldy wise as you think you are i'm sure that if you had genuine concerns re pets that you've contacted the school and raised it with the HOY or whatever staff member is appropriate. I also presume that you have the sense to understand that not everything that children and young people repeat to one another can be substantiated.

With regards to the march and all involved - i wish i'd been in the city to come and support you. I'm not a goth/emo/part of any group with gets lumped together and labelled but i am bored to death of all the bigotted, boring as hell prejudice in this city.

Lastly.......nothing scares me more than being faced with a bunch of chav lads when walking home after dark but a few boys in black with long fringes - i doubt i'd even think about it!!”

“i think the main reason the march happened has been missed here, it was not anything to do with being a "goth" it was to do with hate and prejudice. that includes the color of your skin, gender and religious beliefs. goths turned up because they were the only ones who knew about it. it was to raise awareness for the march for sophie foundation. i myself took part because people should not be abused because of what they are.

It is also untrue about "goths" hurting animals. they are one of the most friendly groups of people you could ever want to meet. they do not sit in all day hurting themselfs either.”

“Leigh, the german song which has raised some curiosity happens to be the last verse of The Sisters Of Mercy song, Marian, sung by Andrew Eldritch from the Album First Last And Always (1985). Just the last verse was sung in german and it's regarded as something of a seminal piece, among many goths who are into the music of what some might term a 'golden era of goth'. If your online translator has let you down on the verbatim (they often do) then allow me to assist...

Was ich kann und was ich koennte
(What I can do and what I could do)
Weiss ich gar nicht mehr
(I just dont know anymore)
Gib mir wieder etwas schoenes
(Give me something beautiful again)
Zieh mich aus dem Meer (Drag me from the sea)
Ich hoer dich rufen, Marian
(I hear you calling Marian)
Kannst du mich schreien hoeren
(Can you hear me calling?)
Ich bin hier allein
(I am here alone)
Ich hoer dich rufen, Marian
(I hear you calling Marian)
Ohne deine Hilfe verliere ich mich in diesem Ort
(Without your help I am lost in this place)

Regards,”