Virgin Media viewers have showed support for Hughie Maughan on social media, after he candidly recalled the time he tried to take his own life.
During his appearance on Eating With The Enemy, the 26-year-old revealed he attempted suicide as a teenager, as he struggled with feeling rejected by the travelling community because of his sexuality.
Speaking to fellow traveller Maureen Ward, who had more traditional views, Hughie shed light on the high suicide rates among young traveller men because of the pressures they face.
“If I had lived by my parents rules… I’d probably be dead now.”
Hughie calls out the pressures young travellers feel growing up with some traditional traveller values. #EatingWithTheEnemy 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/Fve5AyZaZL— Virgin Media One (@VirginMedia_One) March 24, 2021
He said: “If somebody has sex outside of marriage or if somebody is gay or something, it doesn’t mean they don’t respect their parents and it doesn’t mean that they’re any less or more. It doesn’t mean that they’re not a traveller.”
“For me growing up was extremely difficult. I grew up around so much toxic masculinity that already existed in society but is even worse when you look at ethnic minorities which is why growing up I found it very very hard.”
“If I had lived by my parents’ rules and had lived [the way] they thought was right – it was essentially homophobic until they understood and learned more – I’d probably be dead now,” Hughie confessed.
“I attempted suicide when I was 16. You’re seven times more likely to die of suicide as a young traveller man as it is in the rest of society where it’s already the biggest killer of men under 40.”
“Do you not attribute a lot of that to how much pressure young travellers feel underneath and how scared they are to come out? How girls are so scared if they ever had sex outside of marriage their life is ruined?”
Maureen was clearly moved by Hughie’s story, and afterwards he said: “I think Maureen took what I said in. I could see it in her face. I had to tell her something extreme for her to know how traditional views can impact others.”
“I’m so passionate about travellers having rights that I want to broaden people’s minds.”
“I want my nephew and niece to grow up and know they can be anyone they want to be. It doesn’t matter what background you come from. I’m not going to limit myself and then say society is limiting me.”
Following their emotional discussion, viewers took to Twitter to praise Hughie for being so honest.
I salute you @hughie_maughan for sharing the many difficulties you experienced and where that brought you. I am so sorry you felt so hopeless. We need to talk about these things more openly. Maureen really gave you that space #Eatingwiththeenemy @theRichardHogan @animotelevision
— Dr. Malie Coyne 🌅 (@MalieCoyne) March 24, 2021
So proud of you @hughie_maughan
together we will build a better Ireland for everyone. https://t.co/MteEzzHZAH— Rosemarie Maughan (@Minceirbeoir) March 25, 2021
Members of the travelling community often get misrepresented in the media. It’s lovely to watch this conversation – very proud of eating with the enemy. @EatingEnemy @hughie_maughan @MalieCoyne @animotelevision
— Richard Hogan (@theRichardHogan) March 24, 2021
@hughie_maughan has just spoken so well on Toxic Masculinity and being gay. #EatingWithTheEnemy
— Daryl Daniels (@DarylMJD) March 24, 2021
Between his appearance on #FirstDatesIRL a few weeks ago and now #EatingWithTheEnemy I think @hughie_maughan is just fantastic. He’s so passionate, bold and well spoken. Keep doing what you’re doing 💕👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/R3EW4nMXMJ
— Catherine (@MeeCatherine) March 24, 2021
