Attacked by lesbians

The two women left needing hospital treatment after they were attacked on a bus in a homophobic assault have blamed a rise in rightwing populism for growing hate crime and called on people to stand up for each other. Melania Geymonat, 28, and her girlfriend, Chris, 29, defiantly announced they would not be intimidated into hiding their sexuality, days after they said they were attacked by several young men when they refused to kiss upon demand. If anything, you should do it more. They have been taken to separate London police stations for questioning.

CNN Five teenagers have been arrested in connection with a homophobic attack on two women on a London bus that prompted widespread condemnation in the UK. Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. More Videos

The British police said Saturday that they had made five arrests in the case of what they called a homophobic attack on two women who were assaulted and robbed on the deserted top deck of a double-decker bus in North London last month. Four teenagers ages 15 to 18 were arrested on Friday on suspicion of robbery and aggravated grievous bodily harm, the Metropolitan Police of London said in a statement. On Saturday, a fifth teenager was detained, the police said. The police have attributed the increase, in part, to a greater willingness of people to report anti-gay crimes.

A lesbian couple attacked on a night bus for refusing to kiss have triggered an outpouring of support on social media. Melania Geymonat, 28, from Uruguay, was left with a suspected broken nose while girlfriend Chris, from the US, was also beaten up by the gang of men. The attackers made obscene gestures and shouted at them to kiss before assaulting both women and stealing their belongings. Other lesbian and bi women are now sharing their own stories of homophobic harassment in support of the couple.