Alan Bennett details horrific attack by homophobic thugs in Italy
- Alan Bennett's 90th-birthday tribute will air on December 13, 2024.
- He recalls a violent attack he faced in Rome in 1992 due to his sexual orientation.
- The tribute highlights the ongoing issues of prejudice and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals.
In December 2024, British playwright Alan Bennett will be honored with a 90th-birthday tribute broadcast by the BBC. Bennett, reflective of his lifetime of work, shared his past experience of a violent incident during a trip to Italy in 1992. While holidaying near Rome with his husband Rupert Thomas, the couple faced a brutal attack by homophobic assailants, during which Bennett was struck with a scaffolding pole. He described the situation as painful, recalling the disbelief of local authorities who assumed the couple were to blame due to their sexual orientation. This anecdote adds a layer of gravity to the tribute, reminding viewers of the past struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals despite the more accepting climate today. Bennett's reflections are an important reminder of the ongoing issues of prejudice and violence that communities still face, even as societal perceptions continue to evolve.