The two psychologists reported that while returning from the Thessaloniki Film Festival, they were assaulted by strangers in a passing car.

“We briefly hugged while walking down the street. It was enough for them to throw water at us through an open window as they drove past, cursing and laughing,” they wrote.

In their statement, Christidi and Papathanasiou underlined the broader climate of intolerance:

“If we, two white people, stereotypically ‘well-dressed’, were subjected to such a casually staged homophobic attack, what can we say about our trans comrades, young queers, migrants, and sex workers?

We are calm and physically well, but our collective anger will overflow as long as queer existence in public space is questioned and threatened. Anyone who refuses to take a stance against every front of the far-right resurgence, choosing only some based on political strategy or convenience, bears responsibility. Our strength will always lie in our collective resistance.”

Thessaloniki Film Festival condemns the attack

The Thessaloniki Film Festival issued a statement condemning the incident, which occurred on the evening of Sunday 9 November, just hours after the close of this year’s event and only a few metres from its venues.

“The Thessaloniki Film Festival condemns the homophobic attack against Nancy Papathanasiou, member of the jury for the Mermaid Award, the Festival’s official LGBTQ+ prize, and her partner, Elena-Olga Christidi. As the two psychologists and co-founders of Orlando LGBT+ reported on social media, a group of strangers attacked them from a car, throwing water and shouting insults,” the statement read.

The Festival reaffirmed its core principle:

“Every individual deserves respect, as well as fair and equal treatment. The Festival is committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all participants, guests, spectators, volunteers and staff. Abusive language, bullying, or any form of violence, verbal, physical, sexual, or otherwise, based on identity, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, socioeconomic class, disability or age — is not tolerated. We stand for collaboration and inclusion.”

Victims of homophobic or transphobic violence can seek support via the helpline 11528 – Next to You.

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