Federico Fashion Style’s complaint: «Insulted and beaten on the train because I am gay. That gentleman shouted at me “you suck””

It should have been a normal working day, starting with commuting from Milan to Naples, but instead he suffered a homophobic attack. Federico Fashion Style, the VIP hairdresser, ended up in hospital in Colleferro (Rome) after being attacked on Thursday 18 April while on board the Italo train. Federico Lauri, registered owner of six salons (in Milan, Anzio, Rome, Naples, Florence and Poltu Quatu), reported what happened on his Instagram page, with one million followers: «Slapped and punched in the face on an Italo train before everyone’s eyes – writes Federico, who is also a face of Real Time -. Being insulted, denigrated and attacked for sexual orientation is shameful. Please stop calling people fr… Homosexuality is not a disease.”

Federico, how are you?
«Still not very well, I spent the night under control. Psychologically, I feel very bad.”

Tell us what happened to you.
«I took the Italo train at Milan Centrale, at 6.15, headed for Naples; at 11am the train stopped due to a fault near Anagni. I, who was closed in the lounge I had booked, went out to ask the operators on board for information: the delay had exceeded 80 minutes and I had clients waiting in my salon in Naples that I should have informed. And I realized that a middle-aged, distinguished gentleman who was traveling in business class was filming me with his mobile phone, without my authorization.”

So, did you tell him to delete the video?
«Of course, but he denied it and started lashing out at me with harsh words: “You suck, look at yourself in the mirror, you’re a dick… Everything happened under the eyes of the operators. At that point, I asked for the train conductor to be called, who arrived immediately. The gentleman continued to deny it, he addressed me as a “clown”. And since he wouldn’t stop, I asked for the police to intervene. Then he said to me: “Go sit down, you faggot…”.

What was his reaction?
«I told him that he should be ashamed because I could have been his son or his son could, one day, confess to him that he is homosexual. Two seconds passed: he jumped on me, punched me in the face and slapped me. Even the train driver came out in the chaos. The police and the ambulance were called and took me to the emergency room in Colleferro.”

Will you press charges against your attacker?
“Certain. I’m meeting my lawyer today. There are witnesses and surveillance camera recordings as evidence.”

What does the hospital report say?
«The very strong blow to the face caused me a craniofacial trauma, which healed in 15 days. The psychological trauma is devastating: years ago I was robbed in Corso Como, in Milan; they stole my Rolex, attacking me. But it is not comparable to the violence of the words I suffered yesterday.”

Has this happened to you before?
“No, just a few bullying episodes, but nothing serious.”

What would you like to say to those who might suffer the same attack as you?
«Even if it is instinctive to respond to the provocation, it is better to take the insult, keep quiet and get off the train. But then it is essential to report. This beast punched me, but if he had a knife he would have stabbed me. The risk is leaving home and never coming back. Homophobia is the disease, not homosexuality. They must take care of themselves.”

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April 19, 2024 (modified April 19, 2024 | 3:38 pm)

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