The victim of a violent homophobic attack in Scotland is showing that love is still awfully powerful, even in the face of ignorance and hate.
Blair Wilson, 21, was walking home from his mom’s house in the town of Neilston when a stranger took it upon himself to call him a “f*ggot.”
Instead of walking away, which is the safe choice especially if you’re alone, Blair confronted the meddlesome homophobe.
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Words quickly turned to violence when the man physically lashed out at Blair, leaving his nose cut, blood running down his face and shirt.
Blair retreated, but it was his next decision that’s garnering attention around the world.
The young man pulled out his phone, and through cuts and blood, took a beaming selfie.
He told the Barrhead News:
“I thought, clearly, this person doesn’t realise how close Neilston is and I just wanted to post something so that, when he sobered up, he might see how much love and support I have.
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.”
Soon his post had thousands of likes and comment after comment of support.
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He added:
“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.”
Local police are now looking into the attack.
Xzamilloh
Ugh. I just want to give that kid a hug. That’s a really great way to deal with what happened in the moment, but most of us who have dealt with physical abuse of any kind, it takes a long damn time for the mental scars to fade, and even then it’s still there. I hope he gets professional counseling and does not rely too much on social media encouragement. It’s comforting, but not enough
willie bill
True words; great comment.
Chrisk
Were lovers. Not fighters.
bluecheck
Actually, many of us are both 😉 Over the years, I (and others) have also taught many of us to fight.
radiooutmike
That kid has three or four balls full of courage!
Sometimes, you just have to stand your ground.
@katz432
We don’t like what happened to U…..but your response is brave and we applaud you 4 it….we stand behind u all the way….STAY STRONG?????
jcoberkrom
I’m 65 and wish I had this man’s bravery!!!
EricAppleworthy
Congratulation to this young man who has the courage to stand up to bullies. If you support him, go to his Facebook page, Blair Wilson, Neilston and show your support.
rdb2010
Maybe there is hope for the next generation
lambchopp59
I also want to give Blair a hug. I can recommend some effective PTSD therapy involving extinction training if nightmares bother him or others.
In 2009, I was transported to the hospital via ambulance unrecognizable to the staff I’d been working with for 3 years until someone pulled the ID out of my pocket. I’ve lived with physical consequences of hateful, homophobic drug addicts (fairly certain my attackers were not only drunk but “spun” from the evidence. They’d either “doored” or hit me with the front bumper of their pickup truck to knock me to the dirt from my bicycle, which was a worthless KMart piece of problematical junk to begin with. But I rode it into shape between stopping to re-sprocket the chain.
I’m an ACA poster child. I was denied coverage due to “pre-existing conditions” (bullllllllll-shit!!!) but the insurance company got away with it to cover over a dozen surgical procedures beyond the initial hospitalization to correct most of my injuries. I only paid off the tremendous Care Credit account last year.
There was no selfie snapped of me, and I thank god. Smile for me too Blair, I’m alive although that wasn’t my attacker’s intent. Several of my doctors told me I had bled so much I probably would not have survived if I had not been in great physical condition.
Smile on, Blair. Some victims of homophobic attacks haven’t been as fortunate.
marcus_collack
wow. I’m so sorry to hear that happened to you, and thank you for sharing your story. Did you ever find out who the coward was that attacked you, and if so did you report them?
twohanded
Hats off to a very brave lad indeed. Growing up in the northeast of England I knew that there were “bashings” but luckily never experienced.
I hope that the coward who did this gets what is coming to him.
armandov
I get what he is trying to do but I find his actions a bit bizarre. It kind of gives a subconcious message that gay people are fine w/ getting bashed and think its funny.
djmcgamester
It doesn’t. It shows that he’s tough and not homophobic asshole is going to keep him down.
Tête Carrée
I think you’re confusing this with Orlando.
Billysees
” …It…gives a…message that gay people are fine w/ getting bashed and think its funny. ”
I think your right about this, especially to people who are not familiar with the frequent mean-spirited attitudes directed towards the LGBT community.
marcus_collack
Good for Blair. Hopefully he talks with others about it more thoroughly though. If it was me, every time I saw that guy it would be a problem.
djmcgamester
Love that, despite being attacked, he’s not playing the role of the victim. Very inspiring.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
This kid beams as the pathetic sub human piece if slithers back into the filthy basement apartment in its Mothers house. Jerking it’s pathetic tiny dick looking at Gay porn because its “so disgusting”…….
Tête Carrée
Wow. With that description, the police should have no trouble finding him.
The police are heterosexual so they aren’t homophobic at all…
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
^ piece of shit^
Kangol
I wish him the very best and applaud his strength in posting the photo after getting bashed, in part to show defiance. One reason bullies and oppressors employ violence is to intimidate the victim, to cause psychological harm and fear in addition to physical hurt.
Had he wept and not wanted anyone to see him after the assault, though, I would totally understand and support that too.
Echoing Xzamilloh, I hope he is able to get some post-attack counseling to deal with the lingering trauma, and I hope the authorities find and lock up the gay basher, since Blair Wilson probably isn’t the first he’s attacked and might not be the last if the creep is left to roam the streets.
Francis Gallant
The crapass might think twice before attacking again. Would it have been possible at all to get his picture to post on Facebk so as have him running scared?
Billysees
” Would it have been possible at all to get his picture… ”
It would be a good thing for LGBT folk to wear a ‘body cam’.
StarfleetVulcan
“Let it be known that homosexuals are not cowards”. Willem Arondeus (22 August 1894 – 1 July 1943)
JARR25
Very powerful! Wow, Blair! Bravo.
Why assume he needs therapy? He obviously was other enough to do what most wouldn’t do, therefore I think if he needs to address the subject he shall do so how he sees fit.
DCguy
He’s stronger than the bigot. Good for him.
ShowMeGuy
Unicorn up ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Celtic
As one whose ancestry is Scots and Scots-Irish, I am deeply saddened that Scotland has not moved away from such brutality and intolerance. But, sadly, hate is rampant across the globe. Those who lash out a gays are so conflicted about their own inner demons (many wanting to try gay sex but SO afraid of it ) that they strike out against gays; sometimes even those who are not gay but are perceived as being gay.
brianlange
What a gorgeous boy you are let’s go out to dinner