A CAMPAIGN to stop homophobia is being launched in Buckinghamshire to try to raise the profile of gay issues and encourage people who have experienced prejudice to come forward.

A CAMPAIGN to stop homophobia is being launched in Buckinghamshire to try to raise the profile of gay issues and encourage people who have experienced prejudice to come forward.

Action Against Homophobia (AAH) is launching a county-wide Stop Homophobia campaign on Tuesday.

The campaign will include posters and leaflets which give contact information and a form so that people can report incidents, anonymously if they wish.

Homosexuals can experience prejudice or discrimination and may be at greater risk from suicide and other mental health problems, according to the group.

Inspector Neil Coolman, partnership inspector at Thames Valley Police, said: 'We are concerned that we do not know the level of the problem of homophobia so we have produced these leaflets and posters so that people can report incidents.'

The AAH is made up of several organisations including Buckinghamshire Health Authority, Thames Valley Police, South Bucks Gay Men's Health Project and Milton Keynes Lesbian and Gay Youthline.

Angela Mason OBE, executive director of Stonewall, a national civil rights group for gay people, will be a key speaker at the launch along with Dr Robert Sherriff, director of public health, and Julie Spence, assistant chief constable of Thames Valley Police.

There will also be a play entitled, Lessons From the Big Pink Book.

The event will take place at 7.30pm at the Multi Cultural Centre in Friarscroft Way, Aylesbury