Yahoo News 'Emmerdale' star beaten so badly he couldn’t stand or see - just for being transgender
Emmerdale star Ash Palmisciano has revealed he was once beaten so badly he couldn’t stand or see - just because he is transgender.
The actor, plays trans character Matty Barton, and is the first trans actor to appear on the long-running ITV soap.
Read more: Emmerdale cast first transgender actor for upcoming storyline
He told The Mirror: “Playing a trans man role on TV, as an actor it’s been a dream come true.
“But as a human it’s come with some difficulties because now I’m open to society’s prejudice qualities.
Cheers for the lovely comments on tonight’s ep!I think this may be the 1st time ever a British soap has covered this story in this way awesome to be apart of that,the more challenging thing was bein the 1st guy to wear thigh length hospital socks for three scenes 😜😂❤️New Matty pic.twitter.com/Co9PI2ZyFz
— Ash P (@Ash_Palmo) April 18, 2019
“I’ve been beaten in the streets until I can’t stand or see.
“A guy approached me in the street. There I was on my own, smiling. He approached me carefree, ‘Are you a tranny? Because you look like one to me.’
“I didn’t reply, I just looked down at my feet, to which he said it again, this time with intent and on repeat.
“He continued with hate.”
29-year-old Palmisciano says the threat has left him making a decision to stay quiet because of his high profile on Emmerdale.
He added: “Because of my job I couldn’t even reply. I do get sick of it, treated like a second-class citizen because of my 'label'.
“For all you haters and bigots and the ones that just ignore me. There’s nothing you can do that’s ever going to break me. I’ve been crueller to myself than you’ll ever be.
“But I promise I’ll never give up, because I know I’ve got others relying on me.”
Palmisciano admitted he has had doubts about taking on such roles due to concerns he may be typecast: "In the past I’ve not taken roles as felt they haven’t been right and I didn’t want to put that label to my name.
Read more: Emmerdale leaves viewers squealing with laughter with David Cameron pig joke
"Growing up has made me realise that if you want to make a change you have to be that.
"Hopefully it will be a message out there to people that no matter what your story is or what you’ve done with your life you can pursue your career and dreams."
Palmisciano joined the Emmerdale cast in 2018.
