Michael Causer (1989 – 2008)

Openly gay teenager, Michael Causer from Whiston, England, wasn’t any different to other 18 year olds. He was close to his family, was popular, had lots of friends and an active social life. Like many teenagers his age, he was still undecided as to his future career but had a world full of options available to him. However… Everything changed on Friday morning, July 25th, 2008.

Michael was brutally attacked that day by two assailants who left him fighting for his life. He was found unconscious in a pool of blood on Tarbock Road, Huyton at 11am and admitted to Whiston Hospital before being transferred to the Walton Critical Care unit where he remained in a critical condition for eight days. Doctors at Liverpool’s Walton Neurology Centre performed emergency surgery in an attempt to stem the swelling on his brain but this was unsuccessful. Police confirmed he died Saturday, 2nd August 2008 at 12.30pm.

Michael Causer

Because of his sexuality, the story was widely featured in the gay media both online and offline as well as in the local press but there was very little nationwide coverage of this appalling incident. I spoke to Manchester-based artist Paul Harfleet who through The Pansy Project lays pansies at sites where homophobic abuse has occurred. I asked him why he felt it was so under-reported in the mainstream media. He responded thus:-

“Initially it did seem that there was an injustice in the way the story of Michael Causer was not reported. Even the gay press were relative latecomers to the story. As the details unfurled it seemed that there were many complex issues surrounding the case. The police described the incident as (possibly) homophobically motivated though details were sketchy of the actual crime. I think this ambiguity surrounding the story made it less press ‘friendly’.  Once the details became apparent the relevance and topicality of the story was perhaps lost.

As a result the gay community in Liverpool and beyond has been angered and felt that gay stories are less important than other more mainstream crimes.  The gay community is used to having stories downplayed and over shadowed by the media’s interest in news that has wider appeal and relevance.  As far as the most of the media is concerned, homophobia is a battle that has been won. It is also possible that the media’s focus tends to be more London-based so when a crime of intolerance occurs outside London it is seen as a northern issue, so unworthy of national coverage.”

Shortly after the crime had taken place James O’Connor and Gavin Alker, both 19, appeared before Liverpool Crown Court. They were initially charged with GBH with intent but after Michael died, the judge informed them that they were now facing murder charges. They were bailed to appear on November 17 for a plea and case management hearing. The judge set their trial date for January 2009. A book of condolence was opened in Liverpool Town Hall with the first signature being the city’s Lord Mayor.

I found out about Michael’s death through a gay news website. I discovered he had a group at Facebook devoted to him so went across, joined and left a message. I was greatly moved by the number of people who had already joined, nearly 6000, and the content contained therein. Most of the people wouldn’t have known or met Michael yet in some way they had all been touched by him. It was incredible. A few days later, Michael’s aunt Tracey Wilson, sent me a private message thanking me for my comment and we’ve remained in contact.

A smiling Michael (front right) 2 months before he was murdered

This is what she had to say about her beloved nephew:-

“Michael was handsome, funny, loving, caring, giving, compassionate, sensitive, supportive, gentle and fun-loving. He loved the company of his family and friends and adored his small nieces and nephews. He helped out at barbecues for the British Lung Foundation, his Nan and Grandad both suffer with emphysema. He had worked voluntarily at the nursing home his sister worked in, calling out bingo numbers and chatting with the residents. He was intelligent and got good marks at school.”

In a further message to me, she told me of the full horrors of that week. “Michael was beaten on Friday 25th July. His family and friends were there every day. Most were there all day from 10am til 10pm, some stayed nights on sofas in the family room or by sitting awake all night. His parents, Marie and Mike, stayed every night in the parent’s room. On Friday 1st August at 9am they stopped Michael’s sedation and pain relief. They were waiting for any response. The atmosphere was of pain, heartache and desperation. We all talked to him, held his hands, cried.

I played ‘Home’ by Westlife, a song Michael loved. On Saturday 2nd August, after no response for 24 hours, the doctors began the tests to confirm ‘brain stem death.’ There were 10 tests by 2 doctors separately. Both sets have to be exactly the same to confirm brain death. The first test results came back, all 10 were negative. I couldn’t be there for the second test results. As with the first results, all 10 returned as negative. All that was left to do was turn the ventilator off. His family were all with him when it happened. Michael’s Dad held his hand to his son’s chest, he actually felt his heart stop beating! I have never witnessed devastation like it, grown men crying and hugging one another.

I don’t think anybody could ever understand that sense of agony, devastation, sorrow, hopelessness, helplessness, disbelief and anger, as we let that boy go unless it happened to them. To lose a beautiful, loving and gentle boy, not to illness or an accident, but to hate..someone ended his life because of hate and ignorance..”

A Gentle Soul

Tracey’s right. How could anyone understand what they were feeling? Behind the news story, was a person who’d died and family and friends torn to pieces, struggling to cope in the aftermath. Michael, Mickey to his family and Mikey to his friends, was allegedly killed because he was gay.

Talking with Tracey via Facebook’s messaging facility, she told me she couldn’t understand why people hate others based on sexual orientation. When Michael came out to the family, it was greeted with “oh okay” then they got on with it, it wasn’t even an issue. Because of this, he was able to grow in confidence as a young gay man. Tracey noted that none of the family could see what was wrong with being gay.

Then she added “perhaps we weren’t told something when we were young.” That struck a chord. Often hatred directed outwards starts when we’re young, you often hear anti-gay sentiments in the playground from other kids and on playing fields from games teachers. Now apparently, the word gay also equates with being stupid so that’s another negative which will attach itself to us.

Mark Feehily of Westlife, a singer from the band Michael loved, spoke about this in an interview he gave with gay UK magazine Attitude:-

“I think it’s not just individual bullying, it’s the way that kids in classrooms speak about homosexuality and the way they use the word gay to mean bad – gay trainers, a gay jacket they don’t like – that needs to be tackled.” He also addressed directly the murder of Michael Causer by saying “Oh yeah, that was so ….crazy. The kid (Michael Causer) got killed, didn’t he? …horrific… I was out of the country and I didn’t hear about it at first…

It’s absolutely ludicrous. I can’t even describe how that makes me feel… You know, I’m gay too and that could happen to me, or to any of us. I don’t know the ins and outs of it but it enrages me. Something I’ve realised is that things don’t change until people get up and do something about it. There’s no point sitting around just talking about this unless people actually get up and physically do something about it because it will just stay the same.

We have to make a change, otherwise all these massively unjust things will go on about us all the time. It’s so important gay people challenge all these things just like it is when people pick on people because of their colour, where they come from, what they look like. We need to make these issues just as important as those issues, you know what I mean?”

Michael’s hearse with older brother Craig walking behind

On Thursday October 2nd 2008, Michael’s funeral took place at St Nicholas Church in Whiston followed by his cremation at Anfield Crematorium, Liverpool. The service was attended by hundreds of mourners who gathered to pay their respects to this popular teenager.  2 coaches were there to take all of Michael’s friends.

Michael’s death has spurred a community into action. A football match has taken place between Police and Police Community Support Officers from the Princes, Picton and Wavertree Wards and the Mersey Marauders FC (Liverpool’s Gay Football Supporters Network team) in a bid for the Winner’s Trophy.

There’s also a Memorial service for Michael on the 29th November 2008 at 6pm at the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool. A special charity has also been set up in honour of the former Higher Side pupil. The Michael Causer Fund was established by Liverpool’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Network. It is administered by Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS).  Tracey says the response from the public and many organizations has been a massive source of support to them.

Michael Causer (1989 – 2008)

Michael Causer had come out as gay which is a battle in and of itself and had gone out into the world, with his whole life ahead of him. He could have been and done anything. He was a person with hopes, feelings, dreams and aspirations. Around him was a close-knit family and good friends who loved and cared for him. None of these people’s lives will ever be the same again, a bit of each of them died too that day. He should be here, he shouldn’t be spoken of in the past tense.

By standing up and speaking out against homophobia as well as educating people about what it means to be gay, we are honoring Michael. Incidences of a homophobic nature which result in someone being injured or killed can then become fewer and fewer.  One day hopefully, there’ll be none at all.

I never knew Michael Causer personally but I will never forget him and perhaps through reading this, you won’t either.