Brussels-Ixelles police to investigate lesbophobic attack

Brussels-Ixelles police will contact the victim of a lesbophobic attack and launch an inquiry into the incident, its representative Olivier Slosse has announced, after the young woman described her ordeal on Facebook.

Lou, 22, said the attack happened around 1.30 on Friday morning, after she had kissed a girlfriend near the Porte de Namur.

“I could feel the presence of a black car containing two passengers,” she wrote on her Facebook page. “I did not understand all they were saying but it sounded like ‘dirty lesbian’.” When she retorted: “You bunch of homophobes, leave me alone,” the car occupants retaliated, kicking her face and shoulder and leaving her on the ground.

Lou has had to take a week off work. Posting photos of her bruised face and bandaged right arm, she says she is also suffering slight concussion.

After the experience, she said she had developed a phobia of Brussels at night, which she wants to overcome: “I am a pansexual woman, and have been open about this for eight years,” she writes. “Yet clearly, even in 2020, I should keep quiet!”

But Lou remains defiant, concluding the post: “I will continue to go out in skirts, cycle at night, speak too loudly, drink at ‘dangerous hours’, kiss girls and be proud of doing so.”

Photo: Camille Delannois/Belga