Footage showing a young man shut down a “ranting homophobe” has gone viral after being posted to Facebook.
The video was captured by Ryan Mahon, who was travelling on the Northern tube line in London when he came across a man allegedly making homophobic threats against another man dressed in drag.
When Ryan stood up to the man who was shouting, he himself became a target of abuse, and began to film the incident as it unfolded.
He later uploaded the video to Facebook along with a status explaining:
“The most disappointing thing of all, however, was that on an entire tube full of witnesses to what was happening I was the only one who spoke out. I understand it was 5am on New Years and most people just wanted their bed or a toilet to be sick in but all I know is that if anyone was on the receiving end of such disgusting behaviour they would want somebody to stand up for them.”
Had an amazing night celebrating New Years with great people!!Unfortunately, on the way home I witnessed an absolute idiot shouting abuse at a drag queen on the tube. I then made the heinous crime of sticking up for her and this video shows what happened.Luckily, having an amazingly open family, incredible friends and being born and raised in such a multi-cultural city as London this is the first time in the 5 years since I came out that I’ve had to deal face-to-face with such homophobic behaviour. However, it’s sickening to think that this kind of abuse still happens in today’s society when there is no place nor any need for it.The guy in the video (and his friends who like to pipe up with random bullshit remarks) seem to think that being gay is sick and wrong. I think that discrimination, bigotry and general nastiness is sick and wrong. He seems to think that gay people have a negative influence on his child. I think having a father who thinks it’s acceptable to publicly shame others is far more of a negative influence.The most disappointing thing of all, however, was that on an entire tube full of witnesses to what was happening I was the only one who spoke out. I understand it was 5am on New Years and most people just wanted their bed or a toilet to be sick in but all I know is that if anyone was on the receiving end of such disgusting behaviour they would want somebody to stand up for them. I’ve been raised to accept people for who they are. Everyone has their own struggles and issues to deal with; don’t make their lives harder by being a wanker.If you have a problem with gay people people don’t marry someone of the same gender, don’t watch gay porn (that’s to all you straight guys that love lesbians) and whatever you do stay out of Soho…and the Vauxhall/Stockwell area…maybe parts of Clapham too…Hampstead Heath is best avoided. Basically just do one!!Don’t be a dickhead!!Like/share – let’s all begin the New Year with a daisy chain of love and stank!!Happy 2016!!! Love to you all!! Xxx
Posted by Ryan Mahon on Friday, 1 January 2016
The video has been viewed widely on Facebook and local authorities have revealed that they are investigating the incident.
A spokesman for the British Transport Police said in a statement:
“We have been aware of a video on social media which appears to show a man making homophobic comments and threats of violence towards passengers on a London Tube train.
“Officers are viewing the footage and making enquiries to establish the full circumstances of the incident and when and where it took place.
“This is completely unacceptable behaviour and we are asking anyone who recognises the man involved to contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040, or text 61016, quoting reference 146 of 2/1/2016.”
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