Ewan Ange, a 22-year-old influencer and singer, was beaten during a homophobic assault inside a McDonald’s restaurant in Marseille on Thursday [1].
The attack highlights the ongoing vulnerability of LGBTQ+ individuals to targeted violence in public spaces and the recurring nature of hate crimes against high-profile activists.
The incident occurred at approximately 12:40 p.m. [1] at the McDonald’s located on avenue du Prado in the 8th arrondissement of Marseille [1], [3]. Ange, who has 187,000 followers on social media [2], said the assault was homophobic in nature [2].
According to reports, this event marks the second time Ange has been the victim of such an aggression in six months [2]. The influencer has since filed a formal complaint regarding the beating [2].
Ange has used his platform to share a video of the incident to bring attention to the violence [3]. The attack took place during the lunch hour in a busy commercial area of the city, and the victim said the encounter was a targeted act of hate [1], [2].
Local authorities are investigating the circumstances of the assault. The case adds to a growing body of reports concerning hate-motivated violence in the region, particularly targeting the LGBTQ+ community in urban centers like Marseille [3].
“Ewan Ange, a 22-year-old influencer and singer, was beaten during a homophobic assault.”
This incident underscores a pattern of repeated victimization for LGBTQ+ individuals in France, where high visibility on social media can either provide a support network or increase a target's exposure to hate crimes. The fact that this is the second such attack on Ange in six months suggests a failure in protective measures and a persistent climate of homophobia in public settings.
