Warning: This article contains discussion of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community which some readers may find distressing.
Former Big Brother winner Cameron Cole says he was 'targeted' in a homophobic attack while celebrating his birthday.
The 2018 champion of the reality series has posted a picture of himself with a black eye after coming 'face-to-face with people who chose hate and violence'.
Taking to Instagram on Friday (31 October), he said the 'beautiful birthday' had ended with an altercation with people who 'attacked' him when he was alone.
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He admitted that the 'homophobia and slurs' came as a shock and made him 'feel vulnerable in a way no one should ever have to feel'.
Cameron - who won Big Brother at the age of 19 - said he was seemingly attacked 'for just existing and being me'.
"I thank my friend (CARZ) for looking after me and taking care of me, but it should never of come to that," he wrote in the caption alongside two selfies, one with a black eye.
"But here’s what I realised: this isn’t just about me, or just about the LGBTQ+ community.
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"It’s about every minority, every marginalised voice, everyone who has been told they don’t belong, the politics, the government, the people, they want to divide us, but they will not win."
Despite having a 'wonderful day', Cameron went on to say that 'the attack has shaken me'.
"But it’s given me a fire and fight to fight these people off. You will not win. Keep trying but you will fail," he added.
During his time in Big Brother, Cameron won the hearts of the nation when he came out as gay to his fellow housemates.
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When host Emma Willis asked how he planned to spend his prize money, Cameron confessed that he 'hadn’t really thought that far ahead'.
Stop Hate UK reports that LGBTQI+ hate crimes have 'nearly tripled in the last 3 years and in 2020/2021 over 17,135 people from the LGBTQI+ reported they were the victims of hate crimes to the police'.
"But we know that this area is highly under-reported and thousands more who are the victims of attack, abuse and harassment do not come forward," the charity, who supports victims of hate crimes, said.
"Victims suffer verbal abuse and threatening behaviour such as having derogatory terms shouted at them, being threatened, having invasive or inappropriate questions asked of them or being refused service by businesses.
"For many in the community, this type of harassment is a regular occurrence."
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If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, or email [email protected]
Topics: Big Brother, TV, Celebrity
Anish Vij