- Campbell Harrison assaulted after kiss photo goes viral
- Olympian has received more disgusting comments in the past 24 hours
- Aussie rose above it all to send a powerful message to his trolls
Australian climber Campbell Harrison has sent a defiant message to homophobic internet users who have been hurling insults at him after a photo of him kissing his boyfriend went viral during the Paris Olympics.
Last November, openly gay Harrison celebrated qualifying for the Paris Olympics by kissing his boyfriend Justin, but was met with widespread abuse when the photo he posted on Instagram was shared by the Olympics’ major social media accounts.
Harrison failed to reach the finals of the men’s bouldering and lead swimming in Paris, but seized his chance to take on the disgraceful trolls and kissed his boyfriend Justin afterwards.
He finished in a tie for 19th place with a score of 9.4, but only the top eight competitors from each semi-final could advance.
“Qualifying was so hard and going through everything to be here was really tough. It just wasn’t my day,” he said.
However, when recent photos of Harrison kissing his boyfriend surfaced, he received a lot of hateful comments on social media. Ny Breaking Australia has decided not to publish these comments.
On Wednesday morning (AEDT), Harrison sent a defiant message to his opponents on Instagram: ‘Also SPOILER ALERT fam, I’m gonna kiss him again tomorrow.’
Australian sports climber Campbell Harrison has been criticised after a photo of him kissing his boyfriend Justin as he celebrated making the Australian team for the Paris Olympics went viral
Harrison and his partner are pictured at the Olympics on Monday after competing in the men’s bouldering and lead event
The 27-year-old posted this defiant message on Instagram while still facing horrible comments
Ny Breaking Australia has chosen not to publish the shocking comments that surfaced after the couple’s most recent photos in Paris (pictured) came to light.
In response to last year’s homophobic abuse, Harrison said: ‘We often tell ourselves that society as a whole is becoming more progressive, or that things are ‘getting better.’
“But the reality is… there’s a reason you see so few openly gay athletes in sports.
‘And that’s because we’re still not safe here…yet. Pride is important. Representation [also] Affairs.
‘It’s homophobes and bigots who should feel unwelcome in sports. Not me. Not [his boyfriend] Justin. Not queers just trying to live our lives without having to lie and hide who we are.’
Campbell (left) was supported by his partner Justin (right) during his campaign to excel in Paris
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It’s worth noting that Harrison has also received a lot of support.
Outsports wrote: ‘Campbell Harrison had a bad day and at the same time achieved a big win, showing his love for his boyfriend.’
DNA Magazine posted: ‘He didn’t win gold, but he won in life and love. Campbell Harrison’s kiss at the Olympics has everyone talking.’
Another fan wrote: ‘Campbell Harrison kissing his boyfriend in an Olympic stadium was the winner.’