Bologna: Two men attacked in homophobic assault

Two 29-year-old men were victims of a violent homophobic attack in the Porta Mascarella area of Bologna during the night between Thursday and Friday. The assault reportedly began when a man verbally insulted the pair for holding hands, which then escalated into a physical attack by a group of approximately 15 to 20 individuals. One victim sustained head injuries and required medical treatment at Sant’Orsola hospital.

Local authorities, including the Carabinieri, are investigating the incident and reviewing surveillance footage to identify the perpetrators, who fled the scene before police arrived. The Bologna municipality has announced it will join the victims as a civil party in legal proceedings.

Regional and local leaders, including Emilia-Romagna President Michele de Pascale and Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore, have condemned the act as an “unacceptable” and “cowardly” attempt at intimidation. Officials emphasized their commitment to strengthening regional laws against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity to ensure public safety and inclusivity.