{{The shocking photo of a homophobic attack victim in Paris that went viral on social media this week and caused the French interior minister to weigh in was used as an emblem in a pro-gay rally Wednesday evening.}}<\/p>\n
The image of Wilfred de Bruijn’s cut and bruised face was brandished by gay groups during a demonstration of several thousand people as evidence of their claim that homophobic acts have tripled nationwide over opposition to a law legalizing gay marriage.<\/p>\n
This week, the French senate will conclude its debate on a law legalizing same-sex marriage and adoption, which is expected to pass. <\/p>\n
It’s been a rocky run since it was unveiled last November by President Francois Hollande’s Socialists and split the majority-Catholic country.<\/p>\n
But whichever way the Senate votes, the image of De Bruijn’s battered face has made for a symbolic end to five months of bitterly divisive protests.<\/p>\n
De Bruijn was beaten unconscious near his home early Sunday in central Paris, sustaining five fractures in his head and face, abrasions and a lost tooth. <\/p>\n
His boyfriend, who was also beaten up, said he witnessed three to four men shouting “Hey, look they’re gays,” before they attacked. <\/p>\n
The incident has shocked France, and garnered support far and wide as a gay “cause celebre.” On Tuesday night, Interior Minister Manuel Valls called De Bruijn personally to express his shock.<\/p>\n
“I certainly feel there’s been an increase in homophobia,” De Bruijn told The Associated Press at his apartment in Paris’ working class 19th district, where the attack took place.<\/p>\n
“What (the anti-gay marriage campaign) are saying is that they’re not homophobic: lesbians and gays are nice people, but don’t let them get close to children \u2014 that’s very dangerous. <\/p>\n
It’s OK for them to live together, but not like other couples with the same protection because it’s not really the same thing,” De Bruijn said.<\/p>\n
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