In a disturbing incident on the evening of July 23 in Soho, Linus Karp, a queer man, was violently attacked with an umbrella, leaving him with significant injuries. The assault, which occurred while Linus was with his partner Joseph Martin, has sparked outrage among the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.

The assault happened around 8 pm on Dean Street, a busy area known for its vibrant nightlife. According to Linus, the attacker used the umbrella with such force that the handle broke off upon impact. Linus was left with a red mark, bruising, and a severe headache, prompting a hospital visit.

Joseph, hailed as a “superhero” by Linus, tackled the assailant, holding him down until the police arrived. The attacker reportedly exhibited aggressive behaviour towards others before targeting Linus and made threatening remarks during the incident, further indicating the severity of his intentions.

The couple, who run a comedic theatre company called Awkward Productions, believe the attack was motivated by their visible queer identity. The assailant allegedly hurled homophobic slurs at them, including calling them “paedophiles” and “rapists,” echoing harmful stereotypes often used to stigmatize the LGBTQ+ community.

This incident has raised concerns about the safety of queer individuals in London, particularly against a backdrop of increasing homophobic rhetoric by some politicians and media figures. Linus cited specific instances, such as criticism over the pride flag and discussions around transgender rights, which he believes are emboldening individuals to commit such hate crimes.

The response from the community and public figures has been one of solidarity and a call for more stringent actions to protect LGBTQ+ individuals. The attack is a stark reminder of the challenges the community still faces and the urgent need for society to stand against all forms of discrimination and violence.

Linus hopes his experience will encourage more awareness and proactive measures to ensure that such violent acts do not go unchecked, emphasizing the importance of community support and the power of standing together against hate.