TV3 presenter Alan Hughes has revealed he is still called a “faggot” by homophobes on the street.
The Ireland AM star wed partner Karl Broderick in September 2011 – the country’s first high-profile civil partnership.
But Alan – who was delighted to see Aengus Mac Grianna get wed – admitted he is still abused about his sexuality.
“There are always going to be homophobes and people who think being gay is an abomination,” he told the Herald.
Abused: Alan finds it tough to deal with | BRIAN MCEVOY
“I don’t harp on about being gay but I speak openly about Karl on TV, I would mention him the same way someone would mention their husband or wife and I’ve always done that.
“And I’ve had some guys coming up to me on the street saying how our wedding made it so much easier to come out and tell their parents because they see us just going around, living out lives.
“I still get abuse on the streets or texts into TV3 from people calling me, ‘That faggot off TV’ or sending in messages saying, ‘Sure what would he know about such and such, he’s only a dirty gay.’
“Of course it bothers you. It’s like anyone being called anything abusive because of their race of their colour. It’s the same thing.”
