Union J’s Jaymi Hensley Will Challenge Twitter Homophobia

<p>Speaking in today’s Metro Union J boyband member Jaymi Hensley said he actively challenges homophobic language on social media.</p> <p>By Newsdesk | 28th October</p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4600750542.jpg" width="460" height="306" alt="Jaymi and Olly | Twitter" title="Jaymi and Olly | Twitter"/></p> <p></p><p>He may only be 23, but Union J boyband member certainly knows where he stands on dealing with homophobia in a move that puts many other gay celebrities to shame.</p><p></p><p>Speaking to Metro, he said:</p><p></p><p>‘If someone calls me a derogatory name on Twitter, I challenge it. If I let people call me a ‘fag’, how am I helping fans feel empowered?</p><p></p><p>‘When I was younger, I used to be called ‘poof’ and ‘fag’ and it made me feel awful – it’s not nice to have abusive words used against you.</p><p></p><p>‘I’m now in a place where you can call me whatever, it doesn’t annoy me but I will stick up for people. Don’t let people give you s*** – that’s what I stand for. Don’t let people bully you.’</p><p></p><p>We love you a little bit more Mr Hensley.</p><p></p><p>Last week Jaymi said he and his partner Olly Marmon were <a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/magazine/4574334751/NEWS-Union-J%E2%80%99s-Jaymi-To-Marry-Boyfriend/6826507">planning to marry in 2015</a>.</p><p></p><p>Last year during the 2012 X Factor Live Shows TheGayUK asked Twitter to comment on the <a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/magazine/4574334751/X-FACTOR-HOMOPHOBIA-CONTINUES/3692901">homophobia that Rylan Clark was receiving</a>, and asked what they were doing about the on-going anti-gay slurs that happening.</p><p></p><p>A Spokesperson for Twitter said: 'We can't comment on individual accounts, however we have a clear policy on our site and a process for users who want to report abuse.’</p><p></p><p>Last week alone the word 'Faggot' was used 237,907 times on Twitter, in a worrying upward trend as seen on <a href="http://www.nohomophobes.com/#!/last-week/">Nohomophobes.com </a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p>