The victim of a homophobic attack in Neilston, Scotland has gone viral after posting a picture of his grinning, bloody face on social media. Blair Wilson’s Facebook post got thousands of reactions since he made it last Friday.
The 21-year-old said he was on his way home from his mum’s house, walking in the town’s Main Street, when a man called him a “faggot”. Blair said he confronted the man over his language and was then physically attacked, leaving him with a cut across his nose and blood on his face and shirt.
He managed to get away and took a selfie, grinning through his injuries, posting it to Facebook, letting his friends and family know what had happened. He said he had never experienced physical violence as a result of his sexuality and was shocked it had happened in his hometown.
“I knew, as soon as it happened, that I could either keep quiet and feel embarrassed about it or I could shame him over Facebook. As soon as I posted it, even though my nose was still bleeding, I didn’t care.” His post soon accrued over 2,000 likes and dozens of comments expressing concern and support.
Blair said: “It’s amazing. I’ve heard from so many people I haven’t spoken to in ages and people I don’t even know telling me I’m an inspiration and stuff. It’s made me feel so good about myself.
“I did use some choice words in the post, but the message I wanted to get across is you need to stick up for yourself. Maybe don’t go getting yourself hurt, but show them you have friends, you are loved. I think some people think because you are a different sexuality from them you have no friends and everyone is in the same mindset of them, when the reality is they’re the minority. You can prove to them you’re much more loved than they will ever be if they live a life of hate.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed that they had received a report about the incident and enquiries are ongoing.