[View the story "Paris beating gives a face to homophobia" on Storify ]Paris beating gives a face to homophobia Raw photo prompts online reaction, plans for rallies in support of Wilfred de Bruijn. Storified by The Stream · Tue, Apr 09 2013 10:58:29
At the time of publishing, de Bruijn's photo was shared more than 7,000 times.
Screenshot from FacebookAJstream
Nearly 200 people left comments for de Bruijn, voicing their support.
Yohann Grandsire: Long live human rights in 2013.
Screenshot from FacebookAJstream
Alain Piriou: I am appalled by the terrible violence you suffered. Be aware of the immense emotion that is shared by many of us. I wish you a speedy recovery, and a lot of courage to overcome this ordeal.
Screenshot from FacebookAJstream
Others shared their concerns for what the assault means for gay rights in the European Union.
Geert Crielaard: Dear Wilfred, this picture 10 years after gay marriage was legalised in Netherlands. Terrible, and that in Civilized Europe. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope that justice comes and the perpetrators must atone.
Screenshot from FacebookAJstream
Screenshot from FacebookAJstream
Cécile Ploquin: Words also fail me... All my best wishes for recovery and especially that the perpetrators of this senseless violence are punished for their actions... Solidarity and support to you. My country is one of love not one of hatred...
Screenshot from FacebookAJstream
Some commenters on the coverage of de Bruijn doubted the legitimacy of his story. Commenter Mon_psuedo-256971 asked where the photo was taken and why de Bruijn's wounds appeared not to be dressed. He also questioned why de Bruijn took only ten days of leave from work for the injuries he sustained.
Mon_pseudo-256971: If I say that this story is a fake...it is that there are too many contradictions and inconsistencies in the story. Assuming the police had listened to Wilfred and Olivier, I guess they did not fail to be struck by the contradictions.
Si je dis que cette histoire est un montage ( pas la peine de parler anglais , ça n'ajoute rien ), c'est qu'il y a trop de contradictions et d'incohérences dans le récit. A supposer que les policiers aient écouté Wilfred et Olivier, je suppose qu'ils n'ont pas manqué d'être frappés par les contradictions .20minutes.fr
The doubts, however, have not stopped an outpouring of support from places other than de Bruijn's personal Facebook page.
PrideMap.fr posted this photo of de Bruijn with a callout for a public assembly in Paris' historic gay district.
PRIDEMAP.fr
From the group's Facebook page: "Do not let homophobia win... It still too often goes unpunished in France. It is legitimised for months without challenges to the government. It increases with the blessing of religions, but also figures such as Beatrice Bourges, Frigide Barjot, Christine Boutin etc. It is time to be angry."
Ne laissons pas gagner l'homophobie... Elle reste encore trop souvent impunie en France, Elle se légitimise depuis des mois sans que cela n'interpelle le gouvernement, Elle s'accentue avec la bénédiction des religions, mais aussi des figures comme Béatrice Bourges, Frigide Barjot, Christine Boutin etc. Il est temps de s'indigner...facebook.com
A
separate rally has been planned for the same day at the l'Hotel de Ville in Paris, with over 7,000 RSVPing as attendees on Facebook.
Screenshot from FacebookAJstream
Rights group
SOS Homophobie says they have seen a
marked increase in homophobic incidents since October 2012, which they attribute to opposition of gay marriage legislation in France. The Senate is expected to vote on the legislation later this week.
SOS HomophobieAJstream
What do you think of the reaction to de Bruijn's post? Tell us in the comments below.