A GAY man needed stitches to his face after an unprovoked attack in a town centre bar.
The man and his friends say they were enjoying a night out at the Underground Bar in Northumberland Street when the incident happened.
Now Mark Gilman, 29, of Lindley, has spoken out against the incident to encourage others not to be afraid to report homophobic attacks.
He was with his brothers and some friends when a man approached him on the dance floor and said, according to Mr Gilman: “I am sick of faggots having pretty girls around them.”
The man then suddenly punched him in the face, causing a gash above his left eye which later required stitching at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.
The attack left Mr Gilman and his party in complete shock.
The Underground is a gay bar, but has recently been attracting a wider crowd due to its late opening hours.
Mr Gilman, who works as a regional support coach responsible for 18 supermarkets, said: “There was no precursor to the attack, I had not even noticed the man.
“I was simply enjoying a night out with family and friends and the attack has shocked me. I have been publicly out for 10 years and never experienced prejudice before.
“I want to tell the story to highlight how this sort of behaviour is not acceptable and to encourage people not to be afraid to report such issues. They are happening more often than people realise.
“Individuals come into the Underground because it stays open late, but I don’t understand why they come into a gay bar if they have those opinions.
“I don’t want people to think that what happened is acceptable. In this day and age it is ridiculous to have those opinions.”
Mr Gilman said that he did not feel the police were very supportive as they originally told him that the lack of CCTV footage meant they could not press charges.
However, over the weekend, further evidence came to light and the police have made further inquiries.
He added: “It won’t stop me going out, although I will be more cautious – and I won’t be going back to that bar.”
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed the attack had been reported.
He said no-one had been arrested but inquiries are continuing.
