The couple said they were assaulted after refusing a demand to kiss by a group of men
Two women were left bloodied after being beaten by a group of men on a London bus in the early hours of 30 May.
The assault, which has been labeled as an “disgusting, misogynistic attack” by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, occurred when Melania Geymonat, 28, boarded a London bus in Camden with her girlfriend, Chris.
Geymonat, a Uruguayan flight attendant, took to Facebook to describe the assault.
“They started behaving like hooligans, demanding that we kissed so they could enjoy watching, calling us ‘lesbians’ and describing sexual positions … The next thing I know is that Chris is in the middle of the bus fighting with them,” she said.
“The next thing I know is I’m being punched. I got dizzy at the sight of my blood and fell back. I don’t remember whether or not I lost consciousness.”
The Met police have commented on the attack, and are treating it as a hate crime.
“The incident happened at approximately 02:30hrs on Thursday 30 May after the two women, both aged in their 20s, boarded an N31 bus in West Hampstead
“As they sat on the top deck they were approached by a group of four males who began to make lewd and homophobic comments to them.
“The women were then attacked and punched several times before the males ran off the bus. A phone and bag were stolen during the assault. Both women were taken to hospital for treatment to facial injuries.”
Officers are said to be “following up” on CCTV footage of the incident, a spokesperson said.
Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn has commented on the attack, saying:
“Absolutely shocking. We must not, and will not, accept this homophobic and misogynist violence in our society. Solidarity to Melania and Chris, and to all in the LGBT+ community for everything they endure for simply being who they are.”
Absolutely shocking. We must not, and will not, accept this homophobic and misogynist violence in our society. Solidarity to Melania and Chris, and to all in the LGBT+ community for everything they endure for simply being who they are.https://t.co/C4t7lxrr0M
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) June 7, 2019
In a separate tweet, London mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the attack:
“This was a disgusting, misogynistic attack. Hate crimes against the LGBT+ community will not be tolerated in London.”
This was a disgusting, misogynistic attack. Hate crimes against the LGBT+ community will not be tolerated in London.
The @metpoliceuk are investigating and appealing for witnesses. If you have any information – call 101. https://t.co/4zSqxyE6IP
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) June 7, 2019
