Teenager, beaten up in homophobic bus attack, says: ‘I won’t stop being who I am’

A teenager who was beaten up on a bus in Bristol by a man yelling anti-gay slurs has spoken out about the attack.

Kydis Zellinger, who uses the pronouns they/them, says they are proud to be part of the LGBT+ community and that the assault “won’t stop me be from being who I am.”

The 18-year-old was attacked by 27-year old Paul Austin, of Inns Court, on October 15.

Austin pled guilty to assault by beating at Bristol Magistrates Court on October 20. He has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on October 29.

Zellinger was left with a badly swollen face and black eyes. (Courtesy of Kydis Zellinger)

The teenager said Austin approached them and “aggressively” told them: “You little f***ing Queer who do you think you’re getting mouthy to [sic]?!”

After yelling more anti-gay slurs, Austin then beat Zellinger up, leaving them with a swollen face and two black eyes. The teen also suffered bruising to the back of their head.

A spokesperson from Avon and Somerset Police told PinkNews: “The incident has been classified as a homophobic hate crime and will be presented to the court as such.”

Zellinger also sustained bruising to the back of their head.(Courtesy of Kydis Zellinger)