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4 July 2022

Man arrested after homophobic attack on gay choir member

London’s Gay Men’s Chorus described the attack as a “horrific assault”.

By Emily Maskell

Words: Emily Maskell; pictures: Pexels

One man has been arrested after a suspected homophobic attack left a member of the London’s Gay Men’s Chorus and his partner hospitalised ahead of Pride in London.

The Metropolitan Police said that the victims, one in his 30s and the other in his 40s, were discharged from hospital after treatment, the Evening Standard reports.

While one man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, it is believed more than one person took part.

The incident took place in the early hours, approximately 1:20 am, of Saturday (2 July) morning as the pair left a bar in Mile End, East London and is being treated as a homophobic hate crime “due to insults shouted by the suspects”.

A statement from London’s Gay Men’s Chorus, Europe’s biggest gay men’s chorus and UK’s biggest male voice choir, described the “horrific assault” to show “every sign of being a hate crime.”

“We are appalled and deeply horrified by this crime. Today at Pride in London, the Chorus will come together in solidarity with the wider LGBTQIA+ community to march against hatred and discrimination in all its forms,” the statement continued.

London’s Gay Men’s Chorus went on to perform at Pride in London, this year’s march marking the 50th anniversary of the UK’s first Pride parade.

London’s Gay Men’s Chorus chairperson, Peter Ptashko said: “This terrible attack only serves to underline how important it remains to fight against homophobia and all forms of discrimination.

“After 30 years, our mission of ‘social justice through song’ has never been more important to achieve a more equal, diverse and inclusive society that we all need today more than ever.”

For Pride, London’s Gay Men’s Chorus teamed up with The Lion King’s West End cast to record a special version of ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’ to support the work of charity Diversity Role Models, aiming to confront issues of bullying in education.

Police have appealed to any witnesses who are yet to speak with officers to contact them.

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