Spanish minister warns hate groups are singling out LGBT+ people after terrifying knife attack

Spain’s government has warned of an alarming upswing in radical groups targeting LGBT+ people after a man was attacked by thugs who carved the word “f****t” carved on his backside in Madrid.

Interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said the groups have been launching attacks against Spaniards who are “different”.

“Within these groups, the objective is being different due to a personal or social condition, such as race, ethnicity, ideology, religion, sexual orientation [and/or] gender identity,” he told the Cadena Ser radio station Wednesday (8 September).

“Yes, it is taking place, yes, it is being taken into account.”

Prime minister Pedro Sánchez, meanwhile, is to start a task force specifically to stamp out such crimes driven by hatred against the LGBT+ community.