Significant increase physical attacks homophobic: it is urgent to act!
Release international association of 24 April 2006
While the number of physical attacks homophobic exploded in early 2006, SOS Homophobia, the sneg, Act Up-Paris and the Action Group of Gay and Lesbian Loiret (Gagli), member of the federation of LGBT Centers, erect cell crisis to inform and fight against such violence.
Our associations have found a significant number of physical homophobic attacks in recent days:
- April 16, Orleans: two young people between 18 and 22 years were attacked as they were held by the hand before a bus stop on a Sunday afternoon. They were insulted and beaten, and had to undergo temporary interruptions of work. The trial of their attackers is underway.
- Nanterre: the victim was hit on his workplace by people who pretends to be homosexual.
- April 13, Strasbourg: a young man was nearly hit by several people, and managed to take refuge in his car just in time, this has not prevented the attackers from harp on it. It was then continued for several kilometers.
- April 8, Perpignan: a man was beaten with sticks on a beach without any witness intervenes. The victim bears now Minerve.
- April 8, Marseille: a young lesbian was struck in the street (kicking the pubis and punches), and found itself on the Face on the sidewalk with several broken teeth. She complained.
- In early April, Paris: a gay man was found dead strangled in his home. Another was found dying at his home. The reason for these two different attacks is not yet established.
Our associations are very worried of a number of physical violence within a few days. This only confirms a trend observed by SOS Homophobia for several years, a growing number of testimonies physical assaults (multiplied by 6 between 2000 and 2004).
These attacks show, if any were needed, that homophobia is a reality, even in its most violent, and it is not yet eradicated.
The recent trials show that the homophobic feel in their right when hit or insult homosexuals simply because they exist. Far from testifying repentance, most seem convinced that homosexuality is "less than heterosexuality," as stated by the member Christian Vanneste in the press, and feels with a mission to clean France for homosexuals . The remarks made by the attackers ( "The gays deserve a bomb, they are not men!" For example) indicate clearly that it is more urgent than ever to educate young people in the fight against homophobia: testimony received by SOS Homophobia in 2005 indicate that these attacks are often committed by juveniles or young adults. However, no real awareness in the fight against homophobia is still under the programs of National Education.
Our associations, who fight daily against homophobia have therefore decided to set up a crisis cell to respond more quickly to respond to homophobic attacks, and remain very vigilant on new cases of violence reported to them.
Press Contacts:
SOS Homophobia: Jacques LIZE / jacques.lize @ sos-homophobie.org / 06.73.51.35.22
Sneg: Gérard SIAD / sneg@sneg.org / 06.09.07.69.22
Act Up-Paris: Thierry SCHAFFAUSER / zezetta.star @ caramail.com / 06.16.95.31.23
Action group Gay and Lesbian-Loiret (Gagli): Denis LEFEVRE / actiongay@free.fr / 06.29.65.57.38
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