Sam Smith Reveals All Of The Terrible Abuse He's Suffered For Being Gay

Sam Smith is an extremely talented artist who also happens to be gay.

Most people don't give his homosexuality a second thought. It's something Smith is proud of, and he has spoken openly about it.

However, there are some bigoted people out there who have taken issue with Smith's sexuality.

Recently, Smith spoke to The Sun and the London Evening Standard about the hatred and violence he's endured because of his sexual orientation.

The abuse he has faced is despicable, especially in this day and age.

This is what Sam Smith had to say about his experiences with harassment throughout his life.

Smith was physically attacked on the streets of London.

When I moved to London I got punched in the neck walking back from work. It was definitely homophobic. I was on the phone speaking quite loudly and had pink headphones on, so it was pretty clear I was gay.

He was called names as a kid.

A bunch of boys from a rival school would shout insults at me as I walked from my home to the train station. I remember walking to the station getting 'faggot' shouted at me all the time. It was the most mortifying thing. Not so much for me. I knew these people were stupid, uneducated twats.

And he had to deal with the close-mindedness of his small hometown.

I felt isolated. I was called 'faggot' many times. I worked part-time in a shop. There was a man in the village who had a massive issue with me being gay and didn't want me serving him.

Smith even experienced hatred from within the gay community.

When I was 17, I decided to go gay clubbing in Soho in London. I remember walking in and this gay guy turned to his mate and said something really nasty about me. My whole world just crashed and I had a really lonely feeling. I knew then it was going to take a lot longer to be accepted.

Smith had trouble at first in the gay community because he didn't fit some perfect, impossible ideal.

There's a lot of homophobia and bullying in the gay community. There's also a lot of body dysmorphia in the gay community, which means if you're not toned and skinny it can be awful.

But, Smith chose to rise above these experiences and use his music for good.

I'm just trying to make music that stands the test of time. So that, in 400 years, when a little kid who's gay listens to In The Lonely Hour, or my next record, he will be inspired.

Smith wants to break out of the pop star mold.

I want to be a different type of [pop star]. I want to be a [pop star] who's not Photoshopped, who's a straight-on human. Honesty is timeless.

Smith learned to cope with the harsh words of others.

People make comments about me all the time and it hurts me. I read it and I'm offended by it. I'm not going to pretend that I'm not. I'm hugely vulnerable. But I don't want to have any barriers because that feeling of honesty and connection with my fans is just the best in the world.

Citations: Sam Smith reveals violent homophobic abuse (Boston Herald), Sam Smith on looking for love and finding fame (The Evening Standard), I came out at eleven now Ill help gay kids says Sam Smith (The Sun)