National anti-hate crime charity Stop Hate UK has launched a new campaign taking aim at recycled hatred.

Created by Joint, a new shareable web-based mini game powerfully shines a light on the disturbing parallels between the homophobic headlines of the eighties and nineties and the transphobic coverage seen in today’s media. 

Inspired by the long-running satirical quiz show Have I Got News For You, the game invites players to guess whether real, redacted headlines come from the past century’s homophobia or today’s transphobic press.

The game powerfully highlights how Section 28 era fearmongering tactics used against gay people are being recycled against transgender people today. Dehumanisation of Trans people continues to thrive across mainstream media brands, virtually unchecked, despite the undeniable truth that a person's right to exist is not a subject of debate in a civilised society.

Recycled prejudice, recycled harm

In the 80s and 90s, tabloid culture fuelled widespread hostility against gay communities – from infamous headlines such as ‘I’d shoot my son if he had AIDS’ to cruel speculation about a so-called ‘gay gene’. Today, the same rhetoric has been repurposed, with transgender people the target.

Trans people make up less than 0.5% of the UK population, yet experience disproportionately high rates of hate crime and violence. Research from Scottish Trans (2024) found that more than 60% of trans and non-binary people avoid at least one public service for fear of being outed or harassed. Meanwhile, reported hate crimes against trans people have tripled in the past decade (Transformation Partners, 2025), leaving transgender people feeling that the UK is ‘no longer a safe place to live’.

Joint worked closely with the transgender community to create the game, consulting them at every stage to ensure the messaging was on point. 

The campaign was created through Joint Projects, an internal initiative created to rapidly prototype ideas designed for cultural and social impact. Past projects include Ball For All, which raised money for inclusive football groups, and placards for striking junior doctors, featured on Gogglebox. A collaboration with Stop Hate UK, one of the leading organisations combating hate crime and discrimination, the charity will use its platform to help spread the game to its audience.

The game is web-based, free to play, and optimised for mobile sharing. Players are encouraged to share their scores on social media with the hashtag #dontrecyclephobia, sparking conversation and awareness. 

Rory Robinson, Creative Director at Joint, said: “At times like this, when transgender people face attacks from every angle, it’s so important for the community to stand together, to let the T know that the LBG firmly stands with them.” 

Rose Simkins, Chief Executive of Stop Hate UK, added: “Stop Hate UK exists to tackle hate wherever it appears and phobia in the media can have terrible real world consequences for the communities targeted. We’re so excited to launch this game, and hope it plays a role in changing the tone of our mainstream media”
 

Players can play the game at www.haveigotphobiaforyou.co.uk