Ben Hunte became the BBC’s first LGBTQ correspondent last year. He regularly reports on sexuality, gender, and other LGBTQ issues. Sadly, however, this often makes him a target for homophobic online abuse.
Yesterday, the out 27-year-old said he received “hundreds of homophobic and racist messages” in the last week alone. Not only that, but online trolls somehow got ahold of his personal cell phone number and have now been harassing him on WhatsApp.
Hunte tweeted a screenshot of the hateful messages he received from one person in particular. In it, an anonymous messenger beleaguers him with questions about his sexual orientation.
“Can you briefly tell me about yourself, why you thought a man was fit for your sexual life?” the homophobe asks. “Really? Why do you choose to be gay? … Let’s get this settled.”
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Received hundreds of homophobic & racist messages across my Insta & Twitter this week. Now my personal number has leaked & been abused too. It’s 2019… Things should be better! ???? pic.twitter.com/ajDlIgLb0W
— Ben Hunte (@BenInLDN) August 14, 2019
The messages came shortly after Hunte shared photos of him and his boyfriend celebrating at Brighton pride earlier in the month.
Brighton pride! ???? We‘re having such an awesome time! It feels like the whole city is out supporting LGBT lives ?? pic.twitter.com/NUXVq3UuJe
— Ben Hunte (@BenInLDN) August 4, 2019
It’s taken me until 27 years old to feel strong enough to show affection to another man in public… It’s been a journey, but I’m glad I’m here ?????? pic.twitter.com/LWk2J2yqLg
— Ben Hunte (@BenInLDN) August 11, 2019
But this sort of harassment is nothing new for Hunte.
During a Student Pride panel earlier this year, he talked about the negative treatment he receives for being both Black and gay.
“In all honesty I have never received so much abuse in my life,” he said. “The difficulty with that was I knew it was going to be bad, but I didn’t know it was going to be that bad.”
“What surprised me most was the lengths people would go to to find me. I had one email that said, ‘Since when did the BBC allow negroes to present the news?’”
After sharing the nasty messages this week, Hunte received an outpouring of support from followers.
I just want to say that there are HUNDREDS OF OF THOUSANDS of us who support you being a black queer professional committed to high quality reporting on LGBTI issues. The haters will have to deal with their own internalised homophobia &inability to control their shameful violence
— jessica horn (@stillSHErises) August 14, 2019
If straight people have to one thing it’s the audacity pic.twitter.com/8TQpmftf7N
— ?? (@MixedRaceScum) August 14, 2019
why do people feel the need to do this? like it’s not their business what your sexuality is and they also don’t need to go out of their way to send you messages that you clearly don’t deserve to be sent
— ????????? (@waywardpml) August 14, 2019
Very creepy. I am sorry to hear that the LGBT community still deals with this crap in 2019. Bigotry like that gets humanity nowhere.
— Jack ????? (@Conservative_JA) August 14, 2019
Utterly abhorrent. Thank you for being out there so truly Ben, it’s uncomfortable to be that lightning rod but know that your words have power and it keeps building ??
— Jon Holmes (@jonboy79) August 14, 2019
Scroll down for pics of Hunte and his boyfriend, Tom…
WashDrySpin
Haters are going to hate and hide behind the internet to do so
rustyiam
When you live your life on social media to get attention you have to take the good with the bad! He even admits he knew he’d get harassed! So if he was expecting it why keep your social media public? I’m certainly not condoning harassing people but I’m a realist unlike this guy!
Juanjo
Wow, people are right about what a complete arse you are.
Donston
It is true that some people put themselves in positions just to feel like a victim and take advantage of cultural/ethical divides and oppression. However, even if you expect resistance that shouldn’t equate to hiding. And when folks feel as if they’ve gained self-understanding, self-confidence and found someone that they love and want to be with they shouldn’t feel pressure to not share that on their personal accounts.
Cam
It’s interesting that you constantly defend bigots who are public figures and never once say they put themselves in the position their in.
Guess what, this guy posting online didn’t turn other people into racists. They already were. But thanks for making your support of them so obvious.
Donston
Eh, I rarely defend any poster here. And I’m aware that this poster is mostly a hateful troll. I’m just telling it as it is. If you’re constantly angry and belittling and don’t speak with any sort of nuance and understanding then the trolls and haters win.
I like what the reporter said about not being scared of people seeing him indulge male affections. Sex or even “coming out” is frequently easier to indulge and be comfortable with. Not being awkward about and freaked out by people seeing you give affections and love to another male is often a very difficult step, even for many seemingly out guys.
dbmcvey
I don’t know. It kind of sounds like you’re condoning harassment.
James
GO BACK TO CLOSET YOU COWARD. HIDE YOURSELF IN YOUR SELF HATRED.
Donston
It is true that people should be aware that putting their personal life on social media is going to lead to some hate. But the hate is more unrelenting towards some types of people. And being aware that you’re gonna get hate and trolled and harassed doesn’t mean you can’t call those behaviors out.
djmcgamester
Are you suggesting that the reporter hide his relationship because someone might be offended or display his homophobia? That’s ridiculous. Just because he figured it might happen doesn’t mean it’s acceptable behavior. If it’s a one-off, he’s a jerk who needs to be ignored. If it’s constant, then there’s a case for harassment. I’m not a left-winger. Moderate for sure. Based on your posts you’re either straight and here to harass, or a self-loathing gay. Either makes you creepy.
Cam
Why block out the names of the people sending him racist messages. If they’re putting it out there in writing does it break any privacy laws to expose their screename?
henare
because:
– the laws in the UK are not like the laws in other places. if i were him i would absolutely name and shame these assholes.
– he’s a journalist. what he does here could affect what he does at work.
Gay Veteran
What a cute couple and they don’t look like twins. Bless!
Quick someone find their Pornhub/Xtube account. lol
CenterRight
Having a white boyfriend is just going to make things worse for this guy and he should have known it.
Cam
Translation, you think people should always consider racist’s feelings before they decide who to date.
Sweetie, you aren’t Center Right, that type of opinion is veering into KKK territory.
CenterRight
What I was trying to say is that he should not have posted so many photos of him and his BF. People talk, you know, and many of them are not very kind toward interracial relationships.
James
WHAT A STINKING RACIST COMMENT FROM YOU.
Mr-DJ
CenterRight: So obviously you choose a mate based on what OTHERS are going to think, instead of how you feel, or the love connection between the two of you….?
Kangol2
@CenterRight/CastleSF/HereIAm, you really are too much. You are supposedly Asian American, yet you moon over White men like disgraced former GOP Congresscritter Aaron Schock, so are you saying you shouldn’t be in a relationship with a White man, and if you are, that you shouldn’t show it on social media? That people’s abusive and racist comments are OK? What is wrong with you? These two men aren’t the problem, racism, homophobia and white supremacy are.
Toofie
He’s posting pics with his boyfriend. He’s posting pics of his life. He shouldn’t have to hold back because the bf is white.
boymikefl
Oh so cute. All American (gay) couple. I think lately, bigots are seen as sad people. Behind the screen, I am floored at how vile people can be. They have no idea how they come across. If their bosses, parents knew what they were doing, they’d be mortified.
jonasalden
I think they’re English though.
Kangol2
They’re BRITISH.
Wicked Dickie
They are both very cute guys. Don’t worry about those ignorant racist, homophobic, or both (yuck) people.
joelk57
Always remember you are not living for anyone but yourself and the others you Choose to allow in it. I am sorry that it took this young man so many years to be comfortable with who he is. But now that your there be happy and Do You my friend. Best wishes to he and his mate.
talktalktalk
this person is not a ‘reporter’, he is an activist. He needs to understand what journalism and reporting is.
Nuttypea
“#bbc” lol
Kangol2
They make an attractive couple, and yes, Ben Hunte, the racists and homophobes out there are going strong, so while you can never fully prepare yourself for the abuse, just keep in mind the issue is their mental sickness and obsession, and not you or your boyfriend. I do hope he turns those WhatsApp messages over to the authorities, though; trace the senders, find them, and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.
Bryguyf69
Ok, this is a gonna be a very superficial comment — especially coming from a supposedly straight guy. Ben has the most perfect teeth that I have ever seen. The color, shape, spacing, etc of each tooth is just perfect. Also, Tom has great hair. And both have infectious smiles. What great coverboys for the cause.
NerdyBaker
Queerty, you might want to do a little better job vetting images. One of the pics you posted at the end under the “more pics of Ben and his boyfriend” header is not Ben and his boyfriend (the guy in black and white striped shirt with black hoodie/sweater over it). The post clearly states who the other guy is (YouTuber Daniel Howell), and although similar looking to Tom, they are clearly not the same person.
Godabed
Oh please Ben, you were in a relationship with this guy Jack, and had your own Youtube channel called That swirl life. F*ck off. Then did a documentary on why youtube couples broke up. You’re an attention who*e.
talktalktalk
yes and he is not a journalist or reporter. He is an activist.
batesmotel
Well sadly this isn’t unusual. There will always be people that hate gays, or hate people of a different nationality, or hate people of any religion. It’s just the archaic mindset that continues to be born and bred around the world no matter what century it is. Centuries of Earth’s human evolution and no one has learned anything. Stupid animals.
BGinBigD
@TrevorRivera1217 You are beyond pathetic today, tomorrow, and in the future.
djmcgamester
It’s so easy to spew vile commentary from behind a keyboard. I have many times dared someone to meet me and say that stuff to my face. It typically ends the “discussion”.
I’m glad he shared this. Say/write what you want. Just be prepared for the backlash.