> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Birmingham sees another homophobic hate crime
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/birmingham-sees-another-homophobic-hate-crime/
- Published: 2021-10-13T09:30:24.000Z
- Updated: 2021-10-13T09:30:24.000Z
- Description: John-Paul Kesseler is the latest victim of an anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime in Birmingham after he was beaten “for holding another man’s hand”.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Birmingham, Birmingham's gay village, Hate Crime, Homophobia, LGBTQ, UK, West Midlands police

38-year-old John-Paul Kesseler is the latest victim of an anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime in Birmingham after he was struck with a wine bottle in the city centre *“for holding another man’s hand”*. Speaking to [*Birmingham Live*](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/hate-crime-probe-thug-glasses-21819751?ref=scenemag.co.uk), Kesseler explained that he was returning to his hotel with a friend in the early hours of the morning on October 10, when he was targeted by a man who said that the pair *“shouldn’t be holding hands”*.

Kessler said the man then became physically aggressive: *“I didn’t notice him coming and the next thing I knew, I felt bashed round my head. I felt I was bleeding, I could feel blood dripping down my clothes. I was a bit dazed.”* The attacker then attempted to hit Kesseler again with an iron bar before fleeing the scene. After the incident, Kesseler said: *“There were homophobic comments after the attack from people mulling around outside, saying: ‘We do not agree with that LGBTQ stuff.’”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/jp-kesseler-birmingham-600.jpg)

Photo: Birmingham Live

The attack is being treated as a hate crime, with the West Midlands Police saying it is investigating the *“homophobic attack.”* Birmingham’s Gay Village and city centre has seen [numerous homophobic attacks](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/birminghams-gay-village-sees-another-homophobic-attack/) over the past few months, raising concerns over the safety of the city’s LGBTQ+ community. Police have confirmed it will be increasing its presence in the area to help prevent further incidents.