Fetishizing lesbianism and treating queer women as if their sexuality exists for male pleasure is not a new phenomenon. Reports from London show exactly why that kind of aggression can become violent so easily.
Lesbian couple assaulted on London bus by a group of men https://t.co/fJZbvJeXXE
— TIME (@TIME) June 7, 2019
Two women on a bus in London, Melania Geymont and her girlfriend, Chris were approached by four men who had seen them share a kiss. The men demanded that the couple kiss while the men watched and yelled out different sexual positions they wanted the couple to perform. Geymont tried to diffuse the situation, but the men persisted.
Time reports:
‘They started behaving like hooligans, demanding that we kissed so they could enjoy watching, calling us ‘lesbians’ and describing sexual positions. In an attempt to calm things down, I started making jokes. I thought this might make them go away.’
When the two women continued to refuse, the men became angry and physically attacked them, taking all of their belongings with them as they went. Geymont says the attack was traumatic but is a symptom of a bigger problem, one that activists have been talking about for a long time
‘I don’t know yet if my nose is broken, and I haven’t been able to go back to work, but what upsets me the most is that VIOLENCE HAS BECOME A COMMON THING, that sometimes it’s necessary to see a woman bleeding after having been punched to feel some kind of impact. I’m tired of being taken as a SEXUAL OBJECT, of finding out that these situations are usual, of gay friends who were beaten up JUST BECAUSE.’
Sadiq Khan condemns 'hate crime attack' on lesbian couple on London bus https://t.co/aidWTHv1Yl pic.twitter.com/wxyMPr38BF
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) June 7, 2019
London Mayor Sadiq Khan spoke out against the attacks, promising swift action and zero tolerance for this type of hatred. The Daily Mirror reports that:
‘As police look for suspects, Mayor Sadiq Khan has condemned the attack as “disgusting” and “misogynistic”, adding: “Hate crimes against LGBT+ people will not be tolerated in London.”‘
LATEST: Arrests have been made over a homophobic attack on a couple after they refused to kiss while travelling on a London night bus, Scotland Yard said. https://t.co/QTYBkqKhfg
— BBC London News (@BBCLondonNews) June 7, 2019
Law enforcement reports that arrests have been made, according to BBC News, but details are unclear.
‘Earlier, police said they were “following up” on CCTV footage of the assault. The force has not disclosed how many arrests have been made.’
Featured image via Facebook/Melania PS
