A drag king artist revealed they were "bruised, swollen and shaken up" after they were "punched in the head" by a completely random person while standing by for a taxi in Cork city centre.
Shar Nolan is a performance artist based in Galway, that was visiting the leeside city last weekend for two performances at Fred Zeppelins bar, Cork Beo reports.
On Saturday night, the 31-year-old and their partner were "harassed and jeered at" while waiting at a taxi rank, after which Shar was punched in the head.
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They conceded that it wasn't the first instance they were verbally harrassed in Cork city, however it was the first time they had been physically assaulted.
"I was still in my full drag look," Shar said, adding: "and I'm used to getting jeered at, or things said to me, which I'm usually able to ignore it, but this man was getting really in our face.
After telling the individual to go away, which they did, they returned later on with a friend.
The drag artist felt "very targeted" and stated that the two men began "shouting homophobic and transphobic comments" at the pair after which Shar was hit in the face.
The Galway artist has reduced mobility and had a walking aide on them at the time of the assault.
Shar was luckily able to fend off the attacker with the use of the walking stick.
They described the assault as "bad luck" after what had been an amazing show.
"When we left the show it was only around 12.30, and we went to get food before getting a taxi home,
"We did everything we know how to keep ourselves safe. We thought we were doing the right thing - we weren't alone, it wasn't super late, it was everything we were 'supposed to do'," Shar said.
Shar's partner is from Cork and their performances are typically in Cork city.
"I'm mostly okay, bruised and still very shaken up. It was just surreal. He hit me just near my temple and I'm sore and swollen but I appreciate how lucky I had gotten that it wasn't the eye or jaw, thankfully," Shar recounted.
Shar said it has been a difficult time for the LGBTQ+ community, following a spate of assaults.
"I'm planning to come back down for Trans Pride this weekend, and I've talked to a few organisers of different events just to let them know what happened.
"I know people who have gotten hassled before and I just think it's important for people to know that it can happen anywhere and to anyone,
"This is the reality of being visibly queer in Ireland," Shar concluded.
