Vlogger Accused of Homophobic Harassment in Soho Streets

Queer couple targeted and filmed in London’s LGBTQ+-friendly district

A young actor has spoken out after he and his boyfriend were approached and filmed by a vlogger in London’s Soho, sparking widespread homophobic comments online. The incident, which occurred Tuesday evening, has ignited debate about online content creation and platform accountability.

Targeted in Soho

The couple, **Billiouw** and his partner, were walking hand-in-hand around 10 p.m. when they were confronted by a group of seven youths. Four of them were recording the encounter, creating a deeply unsettling atmosphere for the pair.

Just another day in Soho when you’re walking hand in hand and get harassed by a group of teens filming you for clout. The hate comments on the video are disgusting. This needs to stop.

— Billiouw (@BilliouwOfficial) May 30, 2024

One of the individuals repeatedly asked the couple how long they had been together, despite their clear discomfort. When **Billiouw’s** partner indicated he did not want to engage, the vlogger reportedly mocked them and called them “naughty guys” before they walked away.

“Disgusting Hatred” Online

The video was subsequently posted online, quickly garnering a million views. **Billiouw** expressed shock at the overwhelming wave of homophobic commentary.

“The next morning I woke up and saw that the video was watched one million times. That is hallucinatory. All comments with the video were also homophobic. They thought it was great or said that bullying had to make a comeback. Disgusting hatred.”

—Billiouw, Actor

Despite efforts to report the video to Meta, the platform reportedly claimed it could not take action because the footage was edited to avoid explicit homophobia. This situation mirrors broader concerns, as studies indicate a significant rise in online hate speech, with LGBTQ+ individuals disproportionately targeted.

Vlogger’s Pattern of Behavior

The account responsible for the video is believed to belong to **Abdur Rahmaam Meeed**, who boasts a substantial following on Instagram and TikTok. **Billiouw** noted that **Meeed** appears to frequently engage with members of the queer community for content creation and has a history of similar encounters.

In a statement on his Instagram, **Meeed** defended his actions, claiming he felt endangered when **Billiouw’s** partner allegedly took his phone and that he was not being homophobic. However, **Billiouw** refuted this, stating they do not know **Meeed** and were not his friends, and that the vlogger had altered the video’s caption to suggest otherwise.

Calls for Platform Accountability

The couple reported the incident to the British police, but were informed that no action could be taken due to the ambiguity of the alleged intimidation. **Billiouw** voiced greater concern about Instagram’s inaction, urging the platform to look beyond the explicit content.

“To be clear: we don’t know him and we are not his friends… But I am more worried about the fact that Instagram does not take its page offline. Of course, if you look objectively at the video, there may be no question of outright intimidation. But read through the lines, Instagram.”

—Billiouw, Actor

**Billiouw** added that while the incident was distressing, he acknowledged that others within the queer community face more severe harassment from the vlogger, who has also targeted homeless individuals in his content.

Unforeseen Hostility

The incident was particularly shocking given it occurred in Soho, a neighborhood renowned for its welcoming atmosphere towards the LGBTQ+ community. **Billiouw** expressed the unsettling reality that even in such spaces, individuals may still face harassment, leading to a heightened sense of caution about public displays of affection.