Two members of UK LGBTQ+ choirs recovering after homophobic attack in Brussels

Two members of UK LGBTQ+ choirs are recovering after a serious homophobic assault while attending an international festival in Brussels.

James and Simon were in the Belgian capital for the Various Voices Choir Festival - a major event which brings together around 4,000 singers from across the world every four years - when they were attacked late one evening while walking back to their hotel.

In a statement, the pair confirmed they are now safe, saying: “Simon and I were homophobically attacked in Brussels last week so seriously we ended up in hospital. We’re safe now, have been medically treated, have completed all our police reports, and are being cared for by the very best chosen family and true community we could ever have wished for.”

The incident happened as the group walked a short distance from the city’s gay bar district. The two said they were holding hands when they were targeted.

“We’d only got one street away before someone threw some kind of liquid at us,” they said. “Simon turned round… and saw three young men… When he turned to walk away they threw liquid again and we knew it wasn’t an accident.”

After initially continuing on, they decided to challenge the behaviour. Moments later, the situation escalated.

“Simon calmly said ‘that’s not OK you know’ and I took their photo. Immediately one of the guys got up and lunged at me punching me multiple times in the jaw, throat and head, and knocking me to the ground,” James said.

He added: “I’m told… I was flat on the pavement surrounded by seven people. I do remember clearly hearing Simon scream ‘Not him! Leave him alone!’.”

Simon and two companions intervened, pulling the attackers away. In doing so, Simon suffered significant injuries.

“Simon was punched multiple times and had his nose broken in two places,” they said, adding that another friend was also hit but “fortunately not seriously injured”.

Bystanders came to their aid as the attackers fled. “The wonderful people… of Brussels ran out of the surrounding bars… They helped us to the police station who immediately called us an ambulance,” the statement said.

Both men were treated in hospital overnight. Doctors confirmed Simon’s nose was broken in two places and may require surgery, while James suffered concussion and multiple haematomas, though no fractures.

Despite the attack, Simon later chose to perform at the festival. “Despite spending all night in hospital… Simon… decided he still wanted to perform,” James said, describing the decision as being “partly in solidarity” with fellow performers, including Ukraine’s LGBTQ+ choir, and as an act of defiance.

The pair said they believe they were deliberately targeted because of their identity. “These thugs were organised… They weren’t interested in robbing us, they were interested only in attacking us because they’re homophobic and we’re queer,” they said.

They also used their statement to underline the continued importance of LGBTQ+ visibility and allyship. “Don’t fall for the ‘Pride is unnecessary’ narrative. Straight cis people don’t get beaten up in the streets just for existing,” they said.

Calling for support, they added: “Allyship is critical… make clear that violence isn’t acceptable,” and said they would not be deterred from speaking out, stating: “We would, without hesitation, use our privilege again to call out homophobia… We won’t be silenced by fear.”

BrightonGMC, which shared their account, said it was “shocked” by the attack and praised the pair’s response.

“Their bravery and courage is a vital reminder on why queer joy is still so important as a form of activism, and why community matters so much,” the organisation said, adding it was “sending love and support from everyone at BrightonGMC”.