Queer influencers are also under enormous pressure and suffer heaps of homophobia in everyday life
On TV, they are often celebrated for their makeup and uniqueness. In real life, however, sometimes versatile challenges must be overcome.
Homosexual influencers and stars in particular are increasingly becoming the victims of insults and violence in private. Even in Cologne, the city where one of the best-known CSDs takes place and where the resident soccer club is also committed to the city's colorful diversity, attacks on gays are not rare. On the contrary. Many men are even afraid to show themselves holding hands with their boyfriends on the street, for example.
When influencers and celebrities become victims of such attacks, this is often subject to increased attention.
Well-known examples of people who have been victims of assault include Rafi Racheck, Daniel "Ludi" Ludwig (known from DSDS) and David Lovric. They all had to experience first-hand how painful homophobia can be.
David Lovric got his nose broken for wearing makeup
David Lovric is known from the gay Bachelor variant "Prince Charming". His make-up fascinates not only the world of women. Today, 17 thousand followers watch the life of the 24-year-old on Instagram.
But despite the great support of his fans, he is now afraid to walk the streets of Cologne.
This is more than understandable considering what happened three years ago. Shortly before his flight attendant training, he was initially subjected to homophobic insults before having his nose broken. However, he is frighteningly just one example of how far some people will go if they are bothered by someone else's sexual orientation.
Homophobic attacks against influencers - no longer a rarity
The case of David Lovric is just one of many. More and more reports are emerging that show how homosexual influencers are being attacked because of their lifestyle or because of their way of loving.
This shows that the possibilities associated with the "modern world of the Internet" also entail many risks. After all, it has rarely been easier to find out details about a person than it is today.
In addition, many people unfortunately feel provoked by the job of an influencer. Although, as numerous studies have already shown, this is a job that can be incredibly time-consuming and exhausting, and which is not just about "snapping pictures," the work of influencers is burdened with many prejudices. If the corresponding protagonists are also queer, many people (unfortunately) seem to have found their target.
Behind the anonymity of the Internet, many people find it even easier to write hate messages. Depending on the character, it sometimes doesn't take long for the verbal attacks to turn violent.
The perpetrators are getting younger and younger
Many homosexuals hope for a tolerant generation in which all lifestyles are accepted.
But more and more frequently news emerge in which even straight youths are hostile to homosexual men. Out of peer pressure? Out of boredom? Or out of fear of feeling threatened as a heterosexual man?
Many experts here believe that education in particular would play an important role in this context. After all, no child is born homophobic.
Of course, however, it would also be wrong to take a blanket approach here. After all, many parents of homophobic teenagers are not homophobic themselves. Therefore, it can be assumed that a predominantly homophobic environment, for example a clique, can also cause such a "change of mind". Either way, the current victims are of course not only queer influencers, but all queers who cannot show their love out of fear.
Did you know? According to a study, gay kisses are very unpopular.