Boy George claims queer-bashing is back after brutal attack on Phillip Sallon

Boy George claims homophobic violence is on the increase after his friend Phillip Sallon was found badly beaten and kicked in central London. Claiming these things come in cycles, George said that attacks of this kind were becoming as common as they were in the 1980s. Sallon, a long time friend of Boy George, wore flamboyant clothes and stood out in a crowd. According to George, his appearance is the most likely reason for the attack. He added that his friend would not cause a fight and that there was no other logical explanation. But more to the point, he added, there is a movement towards 'assimilation' in the gay community, where gay men try to fit in rather than be different or 'individual'. This, in turn, makes people who stand out more vulnerable to attack.

Meanwhile the police say they have no evidence that the attack, which took place in the early hours of Sunday morning on the 3rd of April in Shaftesbury Avenue, was motivated by homophobia and no witnesses have come forward. Read the full story in the Guardian, here.

Meanwhile, Mark Healey, who organises the Trafalgar Square Vigils in memory of Ian Baynham, has called for an assembly at the Eros statue in Piccadilly Circus as a protest and a call for witnesses tonight. Facebook event.