Demonstration of solidarity for Malte († 25): Hatred for homosexuals affects all of us life and knowledge

Show of solidarity for Malte († 25) |

Hatred of gay people affects us all

“We want to mourn his disappearance here and show as a community that we will not hide, that we will not be intimidated by violence and threats …”

A young woman spoke these words on Friday evening at a demonstration in front of around 6,500 people in Münster. A few hours after Malte C. († 25) succumbed to his injuries. In a minute of silence, they commemorated the victims of the CSD in Münster. The 25-year-old trans man was brutally beaten there a week agoafter defending lesbian women from a homophobic attack.

The mayor of Münster Marco Vita (57, CDU) he waved the city flags at half mast: “This attack on a homosexual person is terrible. It affects us all. Our urban society is cosmopolitan and tolerant and will continue to struggle to be a safe place for marginalized people.”

According to the Lesbian and Gay Association in Germany (LSVD), anti-queer attitudes are reinforced by social media.

For many years there have been such misanthropic attitudes in society, which are fueled by the “echo chambers” on the Internet, criticized LSVD’s René Mertens on Saturday at WDR 5 in “Morgenecho”.

In his view, social media contributes to the fact that “homophobic sayings and anti-queer ideologies” turn into hatred and violence.

Regarding the deadly attack, Mertens said: “It was truly an act of anti-queer violence.” There was also hostility to CSD events in Berlin, Jena or Bielefeld – people were attacked, rainbow flags were torn. “We need the solidarity of society as a whole,” warns Mertens. Anyone can get in the crosshairs: “queer hostility affects us all”.

Violence every day

Much progress has been made in the legal and political fields in recent years.

But: There is still a lot to do in terms of social attitudes and education. The LSVD officer asked that young people also be taught more in schools and through youth work how to defend themselves from devaluations.

According to the WDR report, authorities learn about three acts of anti-queer violence every day nationwide. There is also a large number of unreported cases – many things don’t show up.

“When two men or two women walk hand in hand, the first thing they always think about is fear”

Also Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (52) is shocked. He tweeted: “A young man was beaten to death for wanting to help others. On a CSD. In the middle of Germany. In the year 2022. This leaves me stunned and infinitely sad.” And: “We must oppose this violence of hatred with all severity”.

Alfonso Pantisano (48) from the LSVD federal council on Twitter: “Straight people will never understand this. Whenever they walk hand in hand on the street, they always think about love first. Whenever two men or two women walk hand in hand, their first thought is always fear. Because I’m never safe from that hate!

The author (20) is presented to the magistrate

The perpetrator was discovered and arrested Friday afternoon by a homicide investigator at the main train station. Also investigated is an unknown companion of the man, who is said to have fled with him after the crime and who may have been involved in the insults. There is no new information here so far.

The suspect in the fatal attack case has so far remained silent on the allegations. The man has not commented since his arrest, Attorney General Dirk Ollech told dpa on Saturday. The 20-year-old was brought before the magistrate at noon. The Münster prosecutor’s office had asked for an arrest warrant for personal injury caused by death.

There is more LGBTQ news on Facebook come on Instagram – now you follow Queer BILD.