Drag Race Holland winner Envy Peru took to Instagram yesterday to open up about a violent homophobic attack she experienced at the hands of a group of young men.
The queen told her social media followers that the violent attack was a “wake up call that we still have a long way to go.”
Peru recounted the attack in harrowing detail, saying she was “attacked in broad daylight by 4 young men while on the bus in Amsterdam.” The men threatened her with a weapon while “making offensive slurs” toward her and filming the whole ordeal.
“Even when I tried to distance myself from the situation by moving away, they continued and kept trying to hit me,” she wrote in her post. “As I tried to get away, what shocked me the most was that only one sweet lady stood up for me — in a whole bus full of people.”
Getting off the bus wasn’t even enough to stop the young men from continuing their assault. “When the bus finally got to my stop at central station, I sensed the boys following me, then one of them ran towards me and kicked me to the floor,” she recounted.
Thankfully there were people nearby who were willing to help Peru. “Four women stood up for me and scared the boys away and escorted me to where I needed to go."
In the aftermath of the attack, the fierce drag queen said that she’s in “shock,” but is “doing ok.”
She also admitted to being “hesitant” to file a police report because she’s a public figure, but went on to say that “as a proud member of our community and Pride Ambassador” she wouldn’t stay silent.
“These hate attacks need to stop! I know a lot of our community members stay silent when violence happens towards them because of fear," the 34-year-old said. "But I decided I'm going to go to the police and will show them the footage I took of the incident. Nobody should go through this, and these cowardly actions should be punished."
This attack comes less than one month after Drag Race UK’s The Vivienne suffered a vicious homophobic attack while in a McDonald’s in Liverpool, England.
“So sorry! This is Happening way too often!” The Vivienne commented on Peru’s Instagram post.
Other Drag Race alums took to their fellow queen's comment section to offer words of support, including Valentina, Alyssa Edwards, Manila Luzon, Detox, Jujubee, Alexis Mateo, Denali, Rosé, Kandy Muse, Jaida Essence Hall, Laganja Estranja, Vanessa Van Cartier, Black Peppa, Jiggy Caliente, Pearl, A’Whora, Trinity K. Bonet and Starlet.
“This Is Absolutely Awful,” Alyssa Edwards wrote. “Sending you love and light.”
“Omg! I’m so sorry this happened to you! You have support all over the world who cares so much from you and we all hope you regain all of your Power, Diva,” Manila Luzon commented.
Jujubee also offered her support, writing, “I’m so sorry this happen to you. I love you so much and I’m happy you’re safe now. I wish I could give you the biggest hug.”