[Ammi]

Sue Perkins has told how she broke down in tears after being subjected to homophobic abuse while she was out walking her dog.

The former Great British Bake Off host was enjoying a peaceful stroll on Hampstead Heath in London when a man called her a “********** d***”.

Opening up about the incident on the Homo Sapiens podcast, Perkins said it was the first homophobic insult she had received in about 20 years.

Read more: Sue Perkins reveals 'painful' fall out with Paul Hollywood

She said: “At the time, I sort of went right up to him and said, ‘What did you say?’

“And he sort of postured a bit almost as if he was going to hit me, almost like an intimation of something physical.”

The 51-year-old – who is in a relationship with fellow TV star Anna Richardson – repeated her question.

“I remember my hand was out because I wanted to keep that distance,” she said.

“Like if you come within the length of my arm I know that something really bad is going to happen.”

The presenter said the man “sort of buckled a bit” when she challenged him, then said: “‘I just mean you've got a nice face, why would you...'

“I just thought, 'What's my face got to do with you?’”

She continued: “I just said, 'I'm just walking my dog and I'm quiet and I'm in a good mood and I've got love for everyone here and you have destroyed that and you can't take that back today.'

“And I went off and I burst into tears.”

https://uk.yahoo.com/news/sue-perkin...094206835.html

[bitontheslide]

Sue is great

[Liam-]

All forms of hate crimes have been on the rise over the past couple of years, so sadly I’m not surprised, bless her

[Niamh.]

The presenter said the man “sort of buckled a bit” when she challenged him, then said: “‘I just mean you've got a nice face, why would you...'

..........not want a man? Because clearly women only become lesbians because they can't get a man

[LeatherTrumpet]

Dont all celebs get called names now and then, i think it comes with the job unfortunately?

[Liam-]

Celebrities should just expect and accept homophobic abuse?

[Oliver_W]

Being called a nasty name isn't abuse, and it shouldn't even count as a hate crime tbh.

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by Liam-

Celebrities should just expect and accept homophobic abuse?

i doubt the guy was the full shilling

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

Being called a nasty name isn't abuse, and it shouldn't even count as a hate crime tbh.

Of course it is, it's unsolicited, unprovoked, verbal abuse

[bitontheslide]

on the rare times people have randomly shouted abuse at me over the years I can say i never accepted it or took it well, does anyone? Why is it acceptable in any circumstance

[Oliver_W]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Of course it is, it's unsolicited, unprovoked, verbal abuse

Eh, it's only words.

Admittedly I've never been called a fag by a rando, but I wouldn't feel abused if it happened. Sticks and stones.

[LeatherTrumpet]

I see people all the time effing and jeffing in their cars at each other - road rage

[Kate!]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

Being called a nasty name isn't abuse, and it shouldn't even count as a hate crime tbh.

it is legally abuse. You can get fined if its proven.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

Eh, it's only words.

Admittedly I've never been called a fag by a rando, but I wouldn't feel abused if it happened. Sticks and stones.

Well good for you but that doesn't mean it isn't being verbally abused though and I would imagine it's probably pretty intimidating if you're a woman and some strange man started shouting insults at you and especially bringing your sexuality in to it

[Ammi]

...it’s not name calling at all if someone is specifically targeted for abuse because of their sexuality ...

[Tom4784]

Sadly hate crime is on the rise everywhere. People have become emboldened by the right's supremacy, by Brexit, by Trump etc. People who would silently disapprove feel like they can now abuse others.

This story is disgusting, slurs are abuse, and just because some LGBT people are exceedingly lucky to have never faced abuse in their lives doesn't mean that what Sue faced isn't abuse or that these lucky gays wouldn't break or falter if they were to experience things that they 'wouldn't call abuse'. Incidents like this should be denounced, not downplayed. Some people don't know their own privilege.

[LeatherTrumpet]

I'm sure she is fine now so. She does stand up, tough old lady

[Babayaro.]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

I'm sure she is fine now so. She does stand up, tough old lady

How can you be sure?

[Barry.]

I love Sue, sucks she got abuse by a ****.

[arista]

She should Hire a Security Guard
when she is out walking her dog.

[Babayaro.]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

Eh, it's only words.

Admittedly I've never been called a fag by a rando, but I wouldn't feel abused if it happened. Sticks and stones.

What an awful take

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by arista

She should Hire a Security Guard
when she is out walking her dog.

...I doubt that’s the life she wants, Arista ...she should be able to walk her dog without having abuse because of her sexuality, that’s the issue ...are we saying that specific sexualities need guard dogs for protection...that would seem an ‘acceptable solution’ ...