‘This is what misogyny looks like’ – Woman’s powerful message after vicious homophobic attack
By Ben Kelly
A woman has been punched in the face four times in a vicious sexist and homophobic attack in Dublin.
Victoria Curtis was walking home along Camden Street near St. Stephen’s Green with two friends in the early hours of Sunday morning (March 6) when a man proceeded to direct abuse at them.
The man shouted at the women to expose themselves to him, Victoria told RTE Radio host Ryan Tubridy. When the women called him out on his language, he called them ‘feminist feckers’ and began using homophobic language before a physical brawl ensued.
After directing a string of homophobic insults at her, Victoria claims the man pointed at her and said, “I voted yes for marriage equality, but I didn’t vote for that,” adding that he wouldn’t hit the other girls there, but he would hit her saying, “That’s not even a woman.”
He eventually threw four punches at Victoria’s face.
In a passionate post on her Facebook page, Victoria shared a photograph of her black eye with the following words:
“This is what misogyny looks like.
This is what being a faggot looks like.
This is what happens women on Saturday nights walking home with their friends.
This is what a man did to me, after I told him it wasn’t cool for him to tell us to take off our trousers, pull down our knickers and show him our arse’s.
This is what being punched four times in the faces looks like because you’re a queer.
This is what happens when we call them out.
This is what will keep happening if we keep ignoring and accepting their behavior.
This is why consent courses are needed in colleges.
This is Ireland 2016.”
Victoria said she shared the post to refute claims that “this kind of thing doesn’t happen” and to highlight the “layers of hatred” involved in the attack. 62% of the Irish population voted in favour of marriage equality for gay and lesbian citizens in May 2015, but incidents such as this one – although relatively rare – do still occur.
“I am a bit shocked that I’m having this conversation with you, on International Women’s Day,” Victoria said. “We, as women experience that kind of street harassment regularly.”
She said she had been checked in hospital and nothing had been broken in the attack. “I’m a tough nut,” she added. “It’ll take more than a few punches to crack me.”