Comment Writer James Simpson argues that Samuel Luiz’s murder shows how prevalent homophobia still is in our society, and that we need to be tackling homophobia in its most subtle forms, to prevent more LGBTQIA+ people experiencing such cruelty and violence.
Content Warning: This article discusses homophobia and violence, which viewers may find distressing.
In the early hours of Saturday 3 July, Samuel Luiz, a 24-year-old nursing assistant, was murdered by a group of men outside of a nightclub in A Coruña, Galicia. The attack arose from an altercation between Luiz and two of the men, who accused Luiz of filming them and proceeded to assault him. According to eyewitness reports, one of the assailants summoned a group of twelve other men who chased Luiz and beat him unconscious. He died in hospital later that morning.
Luiz’s death quickly reached headline news throughout Spain and sparked an international outcry for justice. Mass protests have taken place in Madrid, Barcelona, València and beyond, and major public figures including Beyoncé and Ricky Martin have offered condolences. Four men have been arrested and charged in connection with Luiz’s murder. Though its underlying motive has not yet been ascertained, eyewitness reports of homophobic abuse received by Luiz in the lead-up to the attack strongly suggest that he was targeted and killed because of his sexuality.
The murder of Samuel Luiz is a tragedy of profound proportions
The murder of Samuel Luiz is a tragedy of profound proportions. It has instilled both fear and anger in individuals the world over, particularly young LGBTQ+ people like Luiz himself. That such a brutal act of homophobic violence could take place in both 2021 and in one of the most culturally liberal and tolerant countries on earth renders it even more terrifying. It demonstrates that, contrary to what many people (even including gay people like myself) at times assume, anti-LGBTQ+ hatred continues to permeate all corners of society. In many parts of the world legal equality may have been reached by some, if not most, metrics. Nevertheless, homophobia, and with it biphobia, transphobia and all other forms of queerphobia, continue to exist and haunt the LGBTQ+ community every day.
Samuel Luiz’s sickening death has been an unwelcome reminder of this dark reality. The final words heard by Luiz are all too familiar to many gay men. In the twenty or so minutes preceding his death, his killers reportedly and repeatedly shouted ‘maricón’ (the Spanish word for ‘faggot’) at him. I think it is important to draw attention to this point. Though Luiz’s murder was a very extreme manifestation of anti-LGBTQ+ hatred, it did not occur in a vacuum. The verbal abuse that accompanied this hate crime encapsulates the bigoted and oppressive culture that enabled it in the first place. Queer people of all ages, colours, and genders live in a world that continues to loathe their very existence and that continues to sanction violence against them. It was through internalising homophobic attitudes taught to us all from an early age that Luiz’s killers felt impunity to torment him and end his life. This repugnant crime was facilitated by a social order in which queer people are still treated as second-class citizens. It is essential to consider this when reflecting on this week’s events.
Challenging anti-LGBTQ+ hatred in even its most subtle forms remains just as important as condemning it in its most inflammatory and destructive forms
Though it may seem benign, even the mildest of homophobic attitudes and microaggressions contribute to the same twisted worldview that led to an innocent, 24-year-old man losing his life, simply for being gay. Challenging anti-LGBTQ+ hatred in even its most subtle forms remains just as important as condemning it in its most inflammatory and destructive forms. Only through this will the root cause of Luiz’s and so many other queer people’s deaths finally be eradicated.
Though June, internationally designated as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, has recently passed, now could not be a more urgent time to reflect on the rights of queer people. Attitudes have progressed at an astounding rate over the last fifty or so years. Notwithstanding, there is still a long way to go. As we await the legal process and eventual verdict around Luiz’s murder, it is important that we continue to demand justice for Luiz and continue to fight for a better world in which all queer people can live and flourish in the comfort and security that every human being deserves.
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