It’s obvious to anyone with ears that Sam Smith has experienced his share of romantic turmoil, but the out British singer recently revealed that he was also the victim of a more troubling form of emotional trauma — antigay bullying.
In an interview with The Sun, Smith spoke candidly about coming out at age 11, his run-ins with homophobic classmates and his conscious decision to become more of a LGBT advocate.
He told The Sun:
“The toughest time for me was my first year in secondary school when I hadn’t come out as gay. It was actually the denying of being gay that was getting me bullied.
Guys were asking me all the time, ‘Are you gay?’ I would say no and that would rile them up even more. I came out at the end of year seven when I was 11. That shut a lot of the bullies up.
A bunch of boys from a rival school would shout insults at me as I walked from my home to the train station.
I remember walking to the station getting ‘faggot’ shouted at me all the time.
It was the most mortifying thing. Not so much for me. I knew these people were stupid, uneducated twats.
But I was upset as I was with my friends and I wondered if they were embarrassed to be walking with me because people are hurling abuse. I hated the fact my friends had to listen to that.”
Smith later revealed that once he was physically assaulted on the streets of London in what he is certain was because of his sexuality:
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“When I moved to London I got punched in the neck walking back from work. It was definitely homophobic.
I was on the phone speaking quite loudly and had pink earphones on so it was pretty clear I was gay.”
He also spoke about his shift towards LGBT advocacy, a change that he didn’t think would happen when he first came out publicly:
“I can speak about this from a position of power, compared to two years ago where it would have been pissing in the wind. It wouldn’t have gone anywhere.
At the beginning of last year I wasn’t talking about my sexuality as much. But I’ve sold loads of records now and I have a voice.”
h/t: PinkNews
Desert Boy
I’m pleased Sam Smith had the last laugh. He’s rich and famous now and the bigots are no doubt either on benefits or working some shitty blue collar job.
Giancarlo85
He is a cool guy and I respect him. Not the biggest fan of his music, but more power to him.
Low Country Boy
Wow, so young and such a victim of homophobic bullying? Kiss my 49-year-old ass! Lol!
Giancarlo85
@Low Country Boy: Tell that to all the LGBT kids that still get bullied in schools. So kiss your own ass.
ChocolateThunder
Maybe he was punched in the neck because he was “speaking quite loudly” on a cell phone. That’s so annoying and rude!
This guy makes my skin crawl.
lauraspencer
Russell Tovey was probably one of the bullies.
Desert Boy
@lauraspencer: Ouch!
DarkZephyr
@ChocolateThunder: eww, I hope you were able to catch it and get it reattached.
@Low Country Boy: Why do you take issue with the reality that younger people are still victims of homophobia? This is the second time I have seen you post something like thi
Giancarlo85
@DarkZephyr: He doesn’t believe bullying happens anymore. He’s full of himself! Bullies have taken to the internet now too… so if anything, bullying has become harder to control for teachers and adults. Low Country is an ignoramus.
Captain Obvious
New and original backstory. Hasn’t happened to anyone else, ever.
Low Country Boy
@Giancarlo85: @DarkZephyr: No. I just think it was much worse when I was growing up gay, and more accepted. Sorry, but I am more than a little put out with younger people feeling bullied because they were called “faggot.” Try getting the shit beat out of you. THAT is real bullying.
Low Country Boy
And, crickets, when people realize what true “bullying” is.
Sluggo2007
“Sam Smith Was A Victim Of Homophobic Bullying” BFD . . . what gay kid wasn’t?
Xzamilio
@Low Country Boy: And it was much worse for LGBT individuals before you… and worse for those before them. And earlier generations were damn near nonexistent. What, because your “bullying” was worse, it discredits those who only got a little bitty swat on the hand instead of the full force of the fist? And not to mention, his social media is probably littered with anti-gay slurs and constant tweets to him about his sexuality. Who do you think you are, dude? Seriously. You don’t own “bullying”, nor do you get to take your experiences and write the fucking book on “real bullying”. And why do you keep saying “49 years old” as if that puts you in the “gay veterans” category? Get to George Takei or Edith Windsor’s age and then talk crap.
Xzamilio
And, Queerty, I do apologize to the editors for certain comments that were just laced with ad-hominem nonsense towards you guys. One thing I can say is that you let us be bitchy and stupid and voice our opinions, although some self-policing is needed in some cases.
Mine. My case.
Giancarlo85
@Low Country Boy: You don’t know what the heck you’re talking about. That still happens, tool. And I don’t care if you’re 49 years old. And yes, I’d rather ask George Takei what he thinks rather than some idiot like you.
And yes Xzamilio nailed it. Who are you to own “bullying” or the definition of such? Bullying has become worse in recent times and has now gone on the internet… and it’s not just getting beaten up (which still happens). Now it’s a variety of other factors. Nobody cares how much of a know-it-all tool you are.
I grew up in a country that didn’t accept gay people (at the time I was there) and saw extreme homophobia in many aspects of society. Does that mean I’m going to claim I own the word “bullying”?
You are a nobody, low country.