Gent police are investigating a street harassment incident involving Belgian influencer Jonatan Medart and his partner after a video emerged of several men shouting homophobic slurs at the couple. Police have forwarded the case details to the Public Prosecutor’s Office (OM) and have contacted Medart to file a formal complaint, a step the vlogger intends to take.
The “Love is Love” confrontation
The incident was captured by Medart, a 26-year-old TikTok vlogger, while he and his partner, Seppe, were walking through Gent. In the footage, a group of men follow the couple, shouting “homo” and other vulgar remarks regarding their sexual orientation.
Medart shared the images intentionally. He argued that while such behavior might seem like a joke to some, it leaves the victims feeling unsafe. He wrote that he would continue to promote the message of “Love is love” as long as such incidents occur daily.
The debate over “naming and shaming”
While the video drew widespread social media support, it triggered a legal dispute over public identification. Criminal lawyer Joris Van Cauter told VRT News that recording evidence is beneficial, but Medart’s choice not to blur faces was problematic.
Van Cauter argued that by stating he would take revenge and “nail them to the pillory,” the influencer acted as both judge and executioner.
Medart eventually removed the footage following backlash and direct contact from two of the five men in the video. He apologized to those two individuals, clarifying they had not participated in the harassment and happened to be in the frame. Three of the men, he noted, were captured shouting insults.
Corporate fallout and police reporting
The controversy intensified when viewers identified a logo for a Gent-based construction company on one of the men’s shirts. The firm issued a statement declaring that homophobic remarks and the behavior seen in the video are directly opposed to the company’s values and norms.
Gent police operate a specialized reporting point for LGBTQ+ related violence and discrimination. Medart said his decision to file a report is meant to support other members of the LGBTQAI+ community who may find the threshold for contacting police too high.
From TikTok viral hits to Flemish TV
Medart is a recognized figure in Flanders, known for blending comedic content with social commentary. He first gained significant traction in 2020 with a song about the coronavirus pandemic that surpassed five million views on TikTok.
His public profile extends to Flemish television, with appearances on The Smartest Person in the World, Dancing With The Stars, The Traitors, and The Perfect Picture.
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