Victim of homophobic attack, who posted bloody selfie, says he ‘nearly fainted’ when Nicola Sturgeon praised him at Pride

A young gay man was harassed and attacked in the streets of a small village in Scotland has said he “nearly fainted” when Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon paid tribute to him at Pride Glasgow on Saturday.

Blair Wilson, a 21-year-old from Neilston, East Renfrewshire, posted a defiant and bloody selfie after being attacked for being gay on June 29.

Uploading the photo on Facebook, he wrote: “To the wee cunt that called me a faggot across the main street then tried to attack me when i called him ‘hen’ we aw [sic] know who you are and you will get what’s coming to you—Trust it to be someone insecure with his own sexuality trying to take it out on someone secure in himself. Wish you well.”

Speaking at Pride Glasgow at the weekend, Sturgeon praised Wilson, saying: “Instead of cowering away, [Wilson] spoke up and let me say this; the principles and the values demonstrated by that young man, of dignity, of courage and of compassion are the values that should define our country. So Blair, we all stand with you.”

Now, Wilson has spoken out about Sturgeon’s words of solidarity.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 19: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addresses the assembled crowd at Glasgow Pride on August 19, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. The largest festival of LGBTI celebration in Scotland is held every year in Glasgow since 1996. (Photo by Robert Perry/Getty Images)

Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon led Pride Glasgow’s parade at the weekend.(Getty)

He told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland radio programme: “I had about 5,000 mails on Facebook from everyone I know saying ‘oh my goodness, I’m at pride and Nicola Sturgeon is speaking about you’.

“I nearly fainted. I could not believe it.

“My mum and dad and family had went on holiday a few days before. Obviously my mum had seen the video of Nicola Sturgeon on Facebook and she phoned me crying saying how proud she was of me. She couldn’t believe the first minister was speaking about me.”

He continued: “Since seeing my selfie, as trivial as it sounds, it can trigger an emotional connection with someone and I think that’s when people really start to care about an issue.

“Nicola Sturgeon speaking about it at Pride as well really struck close to people who maybe wouldn’t have necessarily thought about that being as big a deal right now.”

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The 21-year old also talked about the hundreds of messages of support he has received from around the world.

“Seeing the comments and support from everyone is the best painkiller,” Wilson added.

“I really hope people will look at the selfie and think, I know a wee boy like that, or I know a wee girl who is gay as well, or I know a little trans youth who is getting abuse from people in the street and I’ve not necessarily done anything to stop it.”

Responding to Wilson’s selfie, one social media user wrote: “I live in Tennessee, the Bible Belt in America. And I do not feel safe. Especially with our politics lately. This made me smile. Rise above hatred and fear! I admire you so much and hope to have your bravery if ever confronted like this.”

Wilson previously told the local news outlet Barrhead News about the attack, which happened he was walking down Neilston’s Main Street on the morning of June 29 and a man called him a homophobic slur.

He said that he went up to the man to confront him, but the man then physically attacked him, leaving him with a cut on his nose. It was the first time he experienced this kind of homophobic attack, Wilson told 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,” he said. Wilson described posting the picture as liberating: “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.”

A few of the supportive comments posted below Blair Wilson’s selfie (Screenshot/Facebook)

“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,” he added.

The authorities confirmed to the Scottish news outlet the attack had been reported and was under investigation.

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