At a time when LGBTQ+ people face increasing violence, a rare moment of hope comes from La Coruña, Spain. The city has granted honorary citizenship to Ibrahima Diack and Magatte N’Diaye, two Senegalese migrants who risked their lives trying to save Samuel Luiz, a young gay man brutally beaten to death in 2021.
On July 3, 2021, Samuel Luiz, 24, was viciously attacked outside a nightclub. While many stood by, Ibrahima and Magatte stepped in to help—despite being undocumented at the time. Tragically, they couldn’t save him, but their courage made a lasting impact.
This week, La Coruña’s mayor, Inés Rey, honored them in a moving ceremony, saying:
“That two undocumented migrants were the only ones to risk their safety to help a victim of a hate-fueled mob is something to reflect on.”
Their bravery and solidarity stand in stark contrast to the bystanders who remained passive. The city’s recognition is not just symbolic—it’s a message against indifference.
Despite their recognition, Ibrahima and Magatte remain humble.
“We are not heroes,” Magatte said. “We just did what was right.” Their story is a powerful reminder that, in a world of hate, bravery and solidarity still exist
You may also like
-
A Safe Space for Recovery: A New Chemsex Self-Support Group in Liège
Centre S and the Maison Arc-en-Ciel de Liège have launched a new monthly self-support group — a caring,
-
Queer Voices, One City: Meet the Choirs of Various Voices Brussels 2026
This June, Brussels turns into a queer soundscape: 120 LGBTQI+ choirs from 18 countries are
-
Lou Queernaval in Nice: When Queer Celebration Takes Center Stage
On February 27, Place Masséna in Nice became a queer epicenter. For its 11th edition,
-
A New Safe Harbor in Brussels: RainbowHouse Launches LGBTQIA+ Info Point
RainbowHouse Brussels is opening a brand-new door for our communities – and it’s one that
-
Ten Years of Balkan LGBTQIA: A Decade of Fighting Borders, Discrimination and Silence
Created in Brussels by volunteers from across the Balkans, Balkan LGBTQIA has spent ten years
English 
Français de Belgique 
Nederlands (België)