Budapest gay sauna attacked with petrol bombs

saratiddyThu 03/07/08 15:47

Just in case you haven't heard ...

Budapest gay sauna attacked with petrol bombs

A gay establishment in the Hungarian capital has been targeted, the second attack in a week.

Four petrol bombs were thrown into sauna called Magnum in the early hours of yesterday morning.

One man was slightly injured by fumes.

The bombers had called the sauna before their attack and warned people to evacuate.

A similar phone warning was used last week when a gay club was attacked with a petrol bomb.

The sauna had kept several extinguishers at hand since last week's attack and so the fire was promptly extinguished.

The gay community in the city is fearful that more violence could occur during this week's 13th LGBT Film and Cultural Festival and at the Pride march on Saturday.

"We are doubtful if the police are really protecting the gay establishments as they promised," said Gábor Kuszing of gay rights group Patent Association.

"Police were present around the cinema housing the Festival, however they left after the politicians opening the Festival finished with their speeches," he added.

Yesterday's attack comes after repeated threats against the LGBT festival and the Pride march from right-wing groups during the last few weeks.

Activists said it could be the work of a group who use a website called kuruc.info.

Described as "an extremist nationalist hate site targeted against gay people, liberals, Jewish people," the phone numbers and other details about gay activists are regularly posted on the site.

"This site, although Hungarian, is hosted in a US server, so there is nothing we can do to stop them," a Hungarian activist from Budapest told PinkNews.co.uk.

"Last week this site put out an address list of all the gay bars in Budapest, the first in the list being Action. Later that night, it was set on fire."

The chief of police in Budapest has said he is anticipating disruptions to this year's Pride march on July 5th.

Last year at Budapest Pride, a gang of ultra-nationalists, skinheads and fascists attacked marchers along the 7km [4.3 mile] route.

Pride organisers said that the police had failed to take appropriate action:

"Contrary to a number of reports and the statement of the Interior Ministry, items capable of causing grievous bodily harm were thrown at the marchers: beer bottles, smoke bombs and molotov cocktails," they said.

"The counter-demonstrators continuously shouted: "faggots into the Danube, followed by the Jews," "soap factory" and "filthy faggots.""

After two arson attacks on gay venues in one week, there is concern that fascist and nationalist extremists are planning more violence against the city's gay community.

Article: www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-8203.html

... My heart goes out to anyone who has been affected by this bombing. I hope whoever is behind this is caught and soon.

saturosThu 03/07/08 16:06

We forget that even though we've more or less climbed that hill here there are many more out in the world who are perhaps about 20 years behind us.

It is a shame this happened.

Sadly, even if the culprits are caught I doubt much will be done. Homophobia in central Europe is still tolerated and sometimes even endorsed by the masses.

quickfind:saratiddy you are a wonderfully informantive woman and I am happy when you post these because it shows to people that there is still much to overcome in this world.

You're a star!

saratiddyThu 03/07/08 16:12

Amid petrol bomb attacks, 400 police committed to gay beauty pageant

While gay activists in Budapest are complaining that the police are not protecting gay businesses in the city, the organisers of Mr Gay Europe have announced they will have "400 policemen and women to protect them during the final."

Two gay venues have been attacked with petrol bombs in the last week.

The gay beauty pageant, which is closely modelled on events such as Miss World, takes place in the Hungarian capital this weekend.

It includes a "Mr Gay Swim Wear competition."

A press statement from organisers stated:

"The Mr. Gay Europe Pageant is much more than a "beauty contest."

"The young man selected will be more than just a pretty face and a sexy body.

"While physical beauty will be part of the judges' considerations, it is a young man's inner values that will make the difference in their selection."

20 people from across Europe are taking part, including a representative from Wales and another from the UK.

Organisers said: "The police will … protect the Mr. Gay Europe final with a 400 men strong force.

"The militant protestors have put up a web page with names and addresses of all gay venues in Budapest and already two bars have been attacked with fire bombs.

"Even so, Wednesday this week, 20 young men from all over Europe met in Budapest in order to win the title of Mr. Gay Europe.

"This is the fourth time this competition takes place, and it celebrates the gay European man and pays tribute to the diversity as well as what we have in common as gay men in Europe."

A gay sauna was targeted yesterday morning and a bar was attacked last week.

Petrol bombs were used on both occasions and a telephone warning enabled the premises to be evacuated.

The gay community in the city is fearful that more violence could occur during this week's 13th LGBT Film and Cultural Festival and at the Pride march on Saturday.

"We are doubtful if the police are really protecting the gay establishments as they promised," said Gábor Kuszing of gay rights group Patent Association.

"Police were present around the cinema housing the Festival, however they left after the politicians opening the Festival finished with their speeches," he added.

Yesterday's attack comes after repeated threats against the LGBT festival and the Pride march from right-wing groups during the last few weeks.

Budapest's police chief Gabor Toth is expecting harsher and more frequent disruption to the city's Pride parade.

Nationalist leaders are inviting "Hungarian patriots" to "protect Hungary's honour" from the international gay community, according to the Budapest Times.

Last month police decided to cancel this year's Pride parade only to reverse their decision within twenty-four hours following international condemnation.

The move to ban Pride 08 was widely seen as a reaction to last year's parade when a dozen people, including a German couple, were beaten by skinheads with opponents throwing eggs, bottles and Molotov cocktails at marchers.

In a statement, Budapest's mayor Gabor Demeszky said:

"In this situation every democrat must raise their voice against cowardly troublemakers and call on the police to do everything to ensure the protection of peaceful marchers and spectators.

"As city mayor it is my duty to stand up for all those who are persecuted in Budapest due to their affiliation, faith, or sexual orientation."

Article: www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-8209.html

... Glad to the see that the Major is standing up against the trouble makers / violence and adding his voice. I hope that this event happens without any problems or futher bombings.