A student has opened up about the homophobic abuse he received while running for student union
A student at Falmouth University has revealed the homophobic abuse he received while running for the student union.
Harry Bishop, who has just been elected into the roll of President of Community and Welfare, told the Cornwall Live that he had received homophobic messages in the run up to the election.
The 20-year-old said that some people had called him “ill of mind” because of his homosexuality.
“Since I came out, I’d never received homophobic comments before. It was actually quite upsetting,” Bishop explained.
The student had experienced negativity when he performed as a drag queen in local Cornwall pubs, but some of the comments he received were so bad that he considered going to the police.
Bishop opted not to turn to authorities, and instead focussed on winning the elections.
“I wanted to focus all of my energy on winning, because as President there is a lot I can do to help others. I had all of the support of my family and friends, I needed to win so that I could do something for everybody who doesn’t have that support.”
Alexa Webster currently holds the position that Bishop has just won. She deemed the comments “disgusting”.
She said: “It broke my heart to see them, especially as a queer woman myself who has run for the same position as Harry.
“It takes a lot to put yourself out there and run in an election; the fact some people use that as an opportunity to be homophobic? Disgusting.”
Webster called for students at Falmouth to fight against homophobia in the future by speaking up.
“Be empathic, and be human to help those of us who sometimes have our voices taken away through those who wish to call harm,” Webster said.
