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Pop singer Leo García reported on his social media that he was beaten early Tuesday morning in General Rodríguez, Buenos Aires province, "for being gay." No police report has yet been filed, but the District's Prosecutor's Office (UFI) No. 9 has opened an investigation. 

In a series of 22 videos, the artist recounted what happened on his Instagram account. “I was talking to a guy, I made a gay comment, and this is how they responded,” he said, adding, while showing his injury and bloodied face: “It can’t be that I’m mistreated like this just for being gay.”

The incident reportedly occurred around 2 a.m. today at the El Gran Capitán bar, located at 135 Juan Domingo Perón Avenue in General Rodríguez. 

So far, the singer has not filed a police report, but the head of the General Rodríguez Police Station, Omar Ramírez, reported that police officers went to Leo's home. There, they interviewed him through the intercom, and he said he had been at a bar with two men, and after making advances toward one of them, the other assaulted him.

Following this, he was invited to file a complaint, and the singer said he would do so during the day. However, police sources confirmed to Presentes that the Prosecutor's Office Investigation Unit (UNI) No. 9 acted on its own initiative.

Ornella Infante, the National Director of Anti-Discrimination Policies at the National Institute Against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism (INADI) and a trans activist, said that she tried to contact the musician through his phone and social networks to offer her support and is waiting for his response. 

“I am extremely worried about these attacks. A couple of days ago there was also an attack on Winfried,” said Infante, referring to the non-binary young person from La Plata who was attacked on Tuesday, September 7, with shouts of “fucking faggot” and “you were born a man, not a woman.”

“We need to understand how dangerous hate speech is, how dangerous it is that right-wing party candidates work hard to sow seeds of hatred verbally that end in physical violence,” he continued.

In this regard, he indicated that "it is important to update the Anti-Discrimination Law once and for all and to work very hard promoting rights."

In the videos, Leo García appears to be lamenting what happened and is in a delicate emotional state. Regarding the possibility of providing psychological support to the victims, Infante explained: “At INADI, we have the Victim Assistance Directorate. When we receive various cases, we immediately connect those outside our jurisdiction with the appropriate agency.”

The helpline for victims of discrimination, racism, and xenophobia is 168 and can be called every day (including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Deaf people can send a video in sign language via WhatsApp to +54 11 6492 1079. Additionally, the public service email address is 0800@inadi.gob.ar.