I want to start by saying: be careful out there.
Nice and the
Côte d’Azur are very safe, welcoming places for LGBTQ+ individuals, but
incidents like this, though rare, do happen.
On February 7th, a
26-year-old man fell victim to a violent ambush after arranging a Grindr
meet-up. Instead of meeting a date, he was attacked by two individuals
who beat and attempted to strangle him before stealing his phone and
fleeing. The victim has since filed a complaint with authorities.
The
assault, which occurred on Avenue Florès in Nice’s residential Cimiez
district, has sparked outrage within the local LGBTQ+ community. The
victim suffered jaw pain, strangulation marks, multiple bruises, and
head trauma. If the attackers are identified, the Nice LGBTQIA+ Center
and SOS Homophobia will join as civil parties to support the victim in
legal proceedings.
A Growing Concern
This
type of attack is not new. Similar incidents occurred in Nice between
February and March 2024, particularly in the Liberation district.
Nationally, such targeted assaults happen at an alarming rate—reports
suggest at least one per week in France, totaling over 50 per year.
Despite
the rising trend, police and judicial responses remain inconsistent.
Activists are calling for stronger measures from public authorities and
dating apps like Grindr. SOS Homophobia demands stricter user
protections, including safety alerts, account moderation, identity
verification, and active collaboration with law enforcement.
Another challenge is the legal system’s reluctance to acknowledge these crimes as homophobic in nature. "Justice often struggles to recognize the targeted nature of these attacks, despite the fact that they systematically victimize gay individuals through dating apps," said Erwann Le Hô.
In June 2023, four men stood trial in Nice for homophobic violence after assaulting three gay men outside a bar. While two received severe sentences, the other two were given suspended sentences. If officially classified as a homophobic crime, penalties for such attacks range from €1,500 to €45,000 in fines and up to three years in prison.
Stay Vigilant
While Nice remains a largely safe city, it’s essential to stay aware and take precautions when meeting strangers. Your safety always comes first.
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