In a digital age where social media and YouTube have become powerful platforms for queer voices, one prominent figure, James Somerton, has found himself at the center of a heated controversy. The gay YouTube star, known for delving into thought-provoking topics such as social unrest, queer theory, and anime, suddenly vanished from the online scene amid allegations of plagiarism and misogyny.
The storm began when British political YouTuber Harris Brewis, also known as Hbomberguy, made a shocking revelation. He claimed that Somerton had been pilfering content from fellow queer writers and creators for several years, leaving a trail of borrowed words and ideas scattered across his videos.
In a nearly four-hour exposé posted on December 3rd, Hbomberguy meticulously dissected Somerton’s YouTube library, revealing that at least 26 videos, including private or deleted content, had made use of other queer creators’ work in some form. In one particularly striking example, Hbomberguy pointed out that a single video had lifted nearly 10,000 words from 18 different sources.
Moreover, Hbomberguy didn’t stop at allegations of plagiarism. He also accused Somerton of misogyny, citing instances where the content creator made derogatory remarks about women and teenage girls. In one video, while allegedly plagiarizing another article, Somerton appeared to dismiss the impact of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer’s crimes on women, claiming that they saw gay men as “fancy accessories” and “lust[ed] for the perfect gay best friend.”
The controversy deepened as Hbomberguy exposed instances where Somerton had spread misinformation. In one video, Somerton falsely claimed that lesbian poet Radclyffe Hall’s case was thrown out of court due to her sexuality, when in reality, she was found guilty of obscenity.
As the allegations swirled, James Somerton attempted to erase his online presence. His Twitter account, now known as X, was deleted shortly after Hbomberguy’s video went live. On his Patreon page, which boasted 4,050 backers, Somerton posted a since-deleted apology, expressing remorse for his actions and the loss of trust from his supporters. His Patreon account has also been deleted, and his YouTube channel has seen a rapid decline in subscribers.
The LGBTQ+ community and the online world await Somerton’s response to these serious allegations, as questions of accountability and transparency take center stage in this unfolding controversy.