IF THE hammer and sickle graffitied on to a popular café was a homophobic gesture as suspected, that is almost beyond belief.

In 2015 in Brighton is this really happening? The owners of the Compass Point Eatery in St George’s Road moved here from New York and have loved their welcome so far but this is embarrassing.

And they were so upset they went home that day.

It would be naive to think that homophobia does not exist. But in Brighton we pride ourselves on being a little ahead of the game. Right?

Speaking of Pride, the festival has been running in the city for years. Everyone should be used to seeing gay people.

Homophobia is upsetting and is not victimless. There are youngsters out there still struggling to come to terms with their sexuality and this does not help.

If someone is scared of telling their parents or friends, they may spend longer living in silence due to actions like this.

The Beatles song You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away was rumoured to be about their gay manager Brian Epstein. It was released on the Help! album in August 1965 – half a century ago.