French LGBTQ Activist Hospitalized After Homophobic Attack in Paris
Pierre Picavet, a police officer and president of FLAG!, a Paris-based LGBTQ association, was hospitalized after a 'despicable homophobic attack' in Paris. The incident occurred overnight from Saturday to Sunday as Picavet was leaving a bar in the historic Marais district. He was struck with a bottle and sustained multiple injuries, including internal bleeding and a head wound. Prosecutors reported that the attacker repeatedly directed homophobic slurs at Picavet, even after he identified himself as a police officer and showed his ID. The suspected attacker has been taken into custody, and prosecutors noted he had no prior criminal record and was intoxicated at the time of the assault. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire condemned the attack, stating, 'We will never surrender our streets to hatred. Paris will remain a refuge, a bulwark and a city of freedom for everyone.' The association STOP Homophobie also denounced the attack, emphasizing that anti-LGBT+ violence remains a reality. 
