Gay man and teen brother attacked by ‘bloodthirsty’ thugs in anti-gay attack at Westfield
Joshua suffered broken ribs, internal bleeding and two black eyes from the attack. (Nine News Gold Coast)
A gay man and his 16-year-old brother were attacked by a “bloodthirsty” gang at a Westfield shopping centre and had to be rushed to hospital.
Joshua, 21, said he and his younger brother were visiting family in Queensland, Australia, when they were verbally abused by ten people on a bus on Tuesday, September 17.
Later that day, he said the same gang physically attacked them as they were eating lunch at Coomera Westfield, and said they looked like they were “hunting” them.
According to Daily Mail Australia, the gang called them “f***ing faggots” and “gay c***s”.
The attack only lasted a few minutes before it was stopped by security, but Joshua suffered broken ribs and two black eyes, and his younger brother had fractured ribs and a split lip. They were both rushed to hospital.
The “bloodthirsty” attack took place while the two brothers were having lunch together at the Coomera Westfield shopping centre. (Google Maps)
Two arrests have been made over the Westfield attack, but police investigations are ongoing.
“They were bloodthirsty, they were animals,” he told Nine News Gold Coast.
“They were stomping on my head, they were stomping on my brother’s head. They were punching us, they were kicking us, we were both down on the ground. We weren’t able to defend ourselves.”
According to Q News, Joshua said: “The first time was very traumatic but the second time they hunted us down.”
“It was completely unwarranted, it’s just brutal violence. It’s a hate crime. I feel like I can’t go back to Queensland, it’s shaken me.”
He added: “I feel like me being gay, that I have put [my brother] in danger. It wasn’t once but twice. I have a lot of guilt.”
Police have reportedly arrested a 15-year-old and an 18-year-old in relation to the attack, but investigations are ongoing.
