Two homosexual individuals were victims of a homophobic attack in the street where they live in Schaerbeek. The couple have given an account of the events on Facebook, upon which Bruzz are reporting. The victims have lodged a formal complaint with the police.
Bruzz states that this is not the first time that the couple have been faced with a homophobic attack, and this incident is going a step too far. One of the individuals said, “It was physical, public - in front of the entire street - it was embarrassing, painful, frustrating, and in particular it was instigated by my Turkish neighbours. It involved the older brother, the younger brother and the father and mother, who were both inciting their sons to lay into us even more. During the first part of the altercation, I had to defend myself on my own. There were about ten witnesses. I called for help, without myself coming to blows."
A passer-by then intervened, but the men’s abuse did not stop. When the first victim’s partner came to help, he also became the target of the attack. The first victim said, “A group of six individuals followed him in the street. Fortunately, he was able to get away. One witness, who happened to be riding a bicycle in the area, told me that I should never have come to live here and that I would be better off moving. This is exactly what I intend to do.”
The local police from the Brussels North police zone (Schaerbeek, Evere/Saint-Josse-ten-Noode) are refusing to confirm the incident for the present time. The Brussels Secretary of State for Equal Opportunities, Bianca Debaets (CD&V) has made known her outrage regarding the attack, as has her federal colleague, Zuhal Demir (N-VA).
The Brussels Times
