While Americans celebrate the amusing horrors of Halloween, in London, thousands defied fear as they commemorated the life of a fatal victim of antigay hatred.
Thousands gathered in Trafalgar Square in London last night for a vigil in response to a recent surge in anti-gay hate crimes, and more specifically, the recent homophobic murder of Ian Baynham, and the attack on James Parkes, a police trainee who was beaten in Liverpool last week.
More from the BBC:
Family and friends and thousands of gay, lesbian and transgender people turned out to mourn Ian Baynham, 62.Tributes were also paid to trainee Pc James Parkes, who suffered skull fractures after an attack in Liverpool.
Rows of candles spelt out "No To Hate" and speeches took place before a two-minutes silence at 2100.
Like millions of people before him, Ian Baynham walked through the square on 25 September, looking forward to a night out.
A little over a month later, thousands gathered beneath Nelson's Column to mourn his murder.
Police believe Mr Baynham, from Beckenham in Kent, was beaten by a group of total strangers because he was gay. He suffered head injuries and died in hospital two weeks later.
From where the candles flickered, mourners could see the spot, just a few yards away, where he became another victim.
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