Re-offense due to sexual orientation of the victims
Violent attacks on queer people are reported again and again. In a recent case, a gay couple in Bavaria was attacked by a hotel guest - both verbally and physically. But why did the hotel guest feel provoked by the couple in the first place and what exactly happened?
Many details about the crime are known. Among other things, the fact that the perpetrator shows no remorse and still considers himself to be in the right.
Further information on the course of events
In the night from Wednesday to Thursday there was a violent attack on a homosexual couple in Bad Neustadt an der Saale.
It is currently known that the couple was on their way home and was attacked in Hohnstraße. The perpetrator is said to have been an obviously homophobic visitor from the Baltic States who had rented a room in a hotel on this street.
He felt disturbed by the couple's cooing behavior, hit the two men and insulted them. Even after the act, the hotel guest still cannot understand why he is now being prosecuted: "Even during the recording of the facts, the attacker was absolutely unreasonable and wanted to know he was in the right," according to the statement in the police report.
Fortunately, under the circumstances, the crime ended rather mildly for the two victims. The couple was only slightly injured by the attack and an ambulance was not required. However, since all those involved were also intoxicated, the police are now looking for further witnesses who can contribute to the complete clarification of the crime.
Frightening statistic: Hate against queers is obviously getting bigger
This act will also change the statistics that deal with hate crimes against queers. Although so many people are now working to prevent violence against queer people and to counteract it with education, a look at the latest figures reveals that there is still a long way to go here.
The whole thing is particularly transparent because in many federal states it is possible to categorize a crime of this kind under the heading of "sexual orientation". This makes it clear at first glance what the attackers' intentions were.
For 2021, this meant: Nationwide, there were more than 700 reported crimes against queer people last year. However, it is very likely that the number of unreported cases is much higher. Not every victim dares to report such a crime to the police. Sometimes out of fear that the perpetrator could strike again - perhaps out of revenge - but sometimes also out of shame at having become a victim in the first place.
Sensitive and appropriately trained police officers are definitely worth their weight in gold here.
Hate crimes must be reported at all costs
It is enormously important that hate crimes directed against someone's sexual orientation, for example, are reported. Only in this way is it possible to show others that they are not helpless and ultimately also to take action against the perpetrators.
However, it is not only the victims who are called upon in this context, but also the people within society. Only in an open society, where the victims feel safe and heard, it is possible to get as many queers as possible to report such a crime.
However, such a feeling of shame and fear is not only evident in connection with reporting hate crimes, but also with regard to one's own coming out. Many people still confirm that they have not yet dared to come out publicly. Often out of concern about how their immediate environment might react. One thing is certain: as long as there are still people who have to keep their sexuality a secret, the activists of the queer community still have a lot of work to do.
Have you also always wondered, how much pink washing is there for Pride Month?