Hate attack on gays in Bremen: Police are looking for witnesses!

Hate attack on gays in Bremen: Police are looking for witnesses!

A shocking incident occurred in downtown Bremen on Saturday evening, September 3, 2025, which once again raised awareness of anti-queer violence. A 27-year-old man was subjected to homophobic insults and ultimately physically attacked while standing outside a supermarket with his partner. Loud NDR The group of five attackers did not allow themselves to be deterred and followed the couple to further express their aggression.

The attack is just another expression of the increasing anti-queer violence in Germany, which, according to the Lesbian and Gay Association of Germany (LSVD), represents a massive threat to LGBTIQ* people. The political motivation of such acts suggests that attacks not only affect individuals, but also intimidate entire population groups. “Hate crime is an alarming reality,” says the LSVD, which also highlights the alarmingly high number of unreported crimes of up to 90% ( LSVD ).

Attackers and witnesses wanted

According to the current investigations by the Bremen police, two of the attackers are between 17 and 20 years old and could be described as follows: The first is around 1.80 meters tall, has blonde curls, wears a black cap and a checked shirt. The second has a dark complexion, black shoulder-length hair with a mustache and goatee, and was dressed in a black T-shirt and gray jeans. Both fled after the attack after the police were alerted ( NDR ).

The police are now urgently looking for witnesses who can provide information about the perpetrators. According to reports from witnesses, the incident was also captured on video. This type of violence is alarming, especially given the rise in such incidents in recent years, which has been linked to the growing visibility of LGBTIQ* people ( BKA ).

A worrying trend

The numbers show the increase in anti-queer attacks over the last few years. According to the BKA, a total of 1,785 crimes against LGBTIQ* were registered in 2023, an increase of over 50% compared to 2022. In other words, the number of crimes in the area of ​​“sexual orientation” has increased almost tenfold since 2010. Insults, acts of violence and coercion are the order of the day, and the health consequences for those affected are serious, with a high rate of psychological problems and anxiety ( BKA ).

Raising social awareness of these problems is urgently needed. Another focus is on the need for reforms within the police in order to better recognize anti-queer motives and reduce the number of unreported hate crimes. Trust in the police must be strengthened so that those affected are more willing to seek help and report attacks ( LSVD ).

In times like these, it is important that we stand together as a society and speak out against all forms of discrimination and violence. Incidents like the one in Bremen cannot go uncommented, and education and prevention are essential to promote an open and tolerant society.