Teenager bottled for stand against anti-gay tirade in Brighton (From The Argus)
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Teenager bottled for stand against anti-gay tirade in Brighton
11:10am Thursday 6th September 2012 in News By Ben Parsons, Crime Reporter
Jack Young's injuries after he was hit with a bottle when standing up to homophobes
A mother has spoken of her pride in her son after he was beaten up for standing up to homophobes.
Sue Fallon’s son Jack Young was bottled in the street at the weekend after confronting people who were shouting homophobic abuse during a post-Pride party.
When she used the Wipe Out Homophobia Facebook group to share his story she attracted hundreds of messages of support.
Mr Young, 18, told his mother he had become separated from his friends in the St James’s Street area late on Saturday night.
He then came across a group of people who were making remarks about the gay community.
He said he confronted them only to be hit with a bottle.
Jack was left with a large gash and several cuts on his face.
Mrs Fallon, 41, wrote: “Luckily it does not look that bad.
“But all I can think of is what might have been.
“I am extremely proud of my son for what he did.
“I know for a fact that if he came across the same situation again he would react the same, it’s just how he is.”
Jack has not given a statement to police.
He was unavailable to speak to The Argus last night but his mother said he was happy for his story to be published.
After she posted his photo and story on the Facebook site, more than 4,000 people left “Likes” and more than 700 left comments within 24 hours.
Mrs Fallon, who lives in Southwick, said: “The shock for me is how loving and genuine the LGBT community have been.
“Someone has even offered him tickets to Thorpe Park.”
Sussex Police made 40 arrests during Pride and the celebrations which followed.
Detectives have appealed for information about a separate attack on the seafront near the Palace Pier at 11.30pm on Saturday.
A 16-year-old needed several stitches after he was assaulted by a man in his late teens or early 20s.
The man was 5ft 7in, small, with black, braided hair.
Anyone with information about that assault is asked to call Sussex Police on 101.
Comments(35)
Metro Reader
says...
11:52am Thu 6 Sep 12
PLEASE make a statement to the police. "Jack has not given a statement to police" only by reporting all incidents will things change, if they do it once and get a way with it, they will do it again, the next time the person may not be so 'lucky'.
I also note from the story that 40 arrests were made, this is way more than over pervious pride weekends, perhaps due to the number of 'straight' people on drink and drugs.
BiggerH
says...
12:11pm Thu 6 Sep 12
1. starts off with 'shouting homophobic abuse' but a bit later becomes 'group of people who were making remarks about the gay community' - not really the same
2. what did the young lad actually say when he 'confronted' them?
Not trolling - genuinely interested
TwoBob
says...
12:14pm Thu 6 Sep 12
Archie Bun
says...
12:38pm Thu 6 Sep 12
That's actually offensive. When theere were riots did you say something like 'that's probably down to the blacks'?
And in any case pride is only about drink and drugs.
tinker000
says...
1:01pm Thu 6 Sep 12
Le Premier Cru
says...
1:31pm Thu 6 Sep 12
What does that mean? I cannot decipher your post at all. I can't even tell if you're pro or anti.
menowhere
says...
2:34pm Thu 6 Sep 12
rashidk
says...
3:26pm Thu 6 Sep 12
rashidk
says...
3:29pm Thu 6 Sep 12
Ross92
says...
4:01pm Thu 6 Sep 12
Is Leon Knight back in Brighton?
bluemonday
says...
4:19pm Thu 6 Sep 12
F in L
says...
4:44pm Thu 6 Sep 12
Archie Bun wrote:I think he did actually say it was the lacks that started the riots.
"I also note from the story that 40 arrests were made, this is way more than over pervious pride weekends, perhaps due to the number of 'straight' people on drink and drugs.”
That's actually offensive. When theere were riots did you say something like 'that's probably down to the blacks'?
And in any case pride is only about drink and drugs.
I think the reason Jack the Lad never spoke to the Police is it was not 'quite' how he put it...Looking at him he would have to have been out of his tree to confront ANYONE! It looks like he fell over.
born n breed
says...
5:18pm Thu 6 Sep 12
I also note from the story that 40 arrests were made, this is way more than over pervious pride weekends, perhaps due to the number of 'straight' people on drink and drugs.” .........
Really ? So gay people on drink and drugs have never been nicked.
Go back to your village fool they're missing you.
Roger Francais
says...
6:15pm Thu 6 Sep 12
Leave the "horses" alone and let them celebrate whatever persuasion they may be!
power_ranger
says...
6:33pm Thu 6 Sep 12
F in L wrote:Oh yes, because if he doesnt want to waste police time with idiots who are probably hundreds of miles away, he is obviously lying.
Archie Bun wrote:I think he did actually say it was the lacks that started the riots.
"I also note from the story that 40 arrests were made, this is way more than over pervious pride weekends, perhaps due to the number of 'straight' people on drink and drugs.”
That's actually offensive. When theere were riots did you say something like 'that's probably down to the blacks'?
And in any case pride is only about drink and drugs.
I think the reason Jack the Lad never spoke to the Police is it was not 'quite' how he put it...Looking at him he would have to have been out of his tree to confront ANYONE! It looks like he fell over.
Troll somewhere else looser.
nocando
says...
8:28pm Thu 6 Sep 12
PorkBoat
says...
11:29pm Thu 6 Sep 12
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
6:29am Fri 7 Sep 12
British men are pork bloats at least Jack is old school.
hubby
says...
10:26am Fri 7 Sep 12
WifeOfHyde
says...
11:26am Fri 7 Sep 12
Porkboat, if you read the article and actually look at the facebook pages you'll find its Jack's mother who is "whinging and crying" about it, not Jack.
"If everybody spoke up when they saw injustice then the world would be a better place."
Couldn't have said it better myself. It saddens me that so many people automatically assume Jack is lying, or over-exaggerating. There is no justification for shoving a smashed bottle in someones face.
PorkBoat
says...
3:10pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:No, Jack is a teenager who got pished, thought he could take on the world, and got a smack for his troubles. Same old story since there have been teens and alcohol combined. Nothing "old school" about it. He would pish his pants if one of those overweight, cry baby men looked at him the wrong way. That is all.
Pork boat we also bred a nation of overweight, cry baby men who get gobby on the terraces yet walk on by when trouble starts hence the riots, travellers in parks, old ladies being mugged.
British men are pork bloats at least Jack is old school.
WifeOfHyde
says...
3:53pm Fri 7 Sep 12
PorkBoat wrote:And I guess you're friends or have atleast met Jack to make such an assumption about his character?
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:No, Jack is a teenager who got pished, thought he could take on the world, and got a smack for his troubles. Same old story since there have been teens and alcohol combined. Nothing "old school" about it. He would pish his pants if one of those overweight, cry baby men looked at him the wrong way. That is all.
Pork boat we also bred a nation of overweight, cry baby men who get gobby on the terraces yet walk on by when trouble starts hence the riots, travellers in parks, old ladies being mugged.
British men are pork bloats at least Jack is old school.
ghost bus driver
says...
7:25pm Sat 8 Sep 12
F in L wrote:Indeed. Sometimes you give a statement to the police several days later. Perhaps he just hasn't spoken to them just yet but is intending to. It's his decision.
Archie Bun wrote:I think he did actually say it was the lacks that started the riots.
"I also note from the story that 40 arrests were made, this is way more than over pervious pride weekends, perhaps due to the number of 'straight' people on drink and drugs.”
That's actually offensive. When theere were riots did you say something like 'that's probably down to the blacks'?
And in any case pride is only about drink and drugs.
I think the reason Jack the Lad never spoke to the Police is it was not 'quite' how he put it...Looking at him he would have to have been out of his tree to confront ANYONE! It looks like he fell over.
sdhgfhfuyt
says...
9:33pm Sat 8 Sep 12
ghost bus driver wrote:you wouldn't go to the police station 3 streets away?
F in L wrote:Indeed. Sometimes you give a statement to the police several days later. Perhaps he just hasn't spoken to them just yet but is intending to. It's his decision.
Archie Bun wrote:I think he did actually say it was the lacks that started the riots.
"I also note from the story that 40 arrests were made, this is way more than over pervious pride weekends, perhaps due to the number of 'straight' people on drink and drugs.”
That's actually offensive. When theere were riots did you say something like 'that's probably down to the blacks'?
And in any case pride is only about drink and drugs.
I think the reason Jack the Lad never spoke to the Police is it was not 'quite' how he put it...Looking at him he would have to have been out of his tree to confront ANYONE! It looks like he fell over.
hubby
says...
11:45pm Sat 8 Sep 12
Patsyr
says...
2:01pm Sun 9 Sep 12
Hove Actually
says...
7:30pm Sun 9 Sep 12
AliMaya
says...
9:41pm Sun 9 Sep 12
gaz scott
says...
12:06am Mon 10 Sep 12
Patsyr wrote:I'm well passed middle age and my mum still speaks for me.
A point not mentioned yet, Jack was "not available to comment " so his mother told his story. He is 18, an adult so why was his mother speaking for him?
Telscombe Cliffy
says...
8:42am Mon 10 Sep 12
Sarah Booker
says...
8:54am Mon 10 Sep 12
Patsyr wrote:Jack was at college and then went straight to work. Both he and Ben Parsons kept missing each other's calls and then Jack wasn't available so asked his mum to speak on his behalf.
A point not mentioned yet, Jack was "not available to comment " so his mother told his story. He is 18, an adult so why was his mother speaking for him?
RevdCarlChambers
says...
3:26pm Mon 10 Sep 12
Well done Jack.
Your mum has much to be proud of.
We all want a city where we can live in peace and full of mutual respect and love.
TomDenman
says...
5:12pm Mon 10 Sep 12
This in my mind is another reason why we should be more concerned with holding anti-homophobia protests rather than throwing parties that are so counter-productive like at Brighton Pride. It seems to me that as long as many of the people within the LGBT community are going to throw parties across this city - it will just give people who are anti-gay a horrible impression about those who identify themselves as LGBT. We gay rights supporters could all get a lot more done against homophobia if we present ourselves as reasonable people who are willing to give rational reasons why you should support people's rights regardless of sexual orientation (like at an anti-discrimation rally). For the love of preventing incidents like this again, we should all stand up against homophobia and forget the Pride parades which give a horrible and unfair image to those who are within the community. Let's stage more protests against discrimination and stop this from ever happening again.
sussexguy
says...
7:06pm Tue 11 Sep 12
Lady Smith says...
11:46am Thu 6 Sep 12