A teacher employed in Aylesbury seeks to leverage the attention garnered from the assault he endured to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
Michael Smith, a resident and professional in Aylesbury, was assaulted while awaiting a bus in London, with suspicions of the attack being homophobic in nature. The Metropolitan Police, though no arrests have been made, regards the incident as likely homophobic.
During the assault, Michael endured at least three punches to the face, while his boyfriend, Nat Asabere, was struck in the back of the head by the assailant. The couple, both in their 30s and 40s, had been waiting for a bus in Brixton after attending a Black Pride event in the capital. Michael sustained a split lip, and both men required hospital treatment.
In response to the incident, London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed his disgust, emphasizing that such acts have no place in a city that champions love and inclusion.
Turning the negative experience into a positive force, Michael aims to raise funds for LGBTQ+ support causes. He has established a Justgiving page accessible online. Despite the harrowing experience, Michael remains resilient, citing his grandfather’s advice to not let adversity overcome him.
Funds generated will be directed to Stonewall, the largest LGBTQ+ rights charity in the UK. Michael highlights Stonewall’s role in effecting transformative change in the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and its advocacy for positive shifts in public attitudes and policies.
To support the investigation, witnesses or individuals with information about the attack are urged to contact 101 and reference the incident with the number 8673/22AUG.
