The evils of homophobia still lurk beneath the surface of society, say those affected by its existence.

Two same-sex couples told Jack Dyson about the prejudice they encounter on an everyday basis.

A disapproving look, an audible tut and even unashamed verbal abuse in the street.

The crime for such treatment? Being gay.

Same-sex couples across the Canterbury district say that despite attitudes in society changing drastically, the fear of prejudice and discrimination remains.

Sweet shop boss Kris Searle, 40, has been with his boyfriend Chris Welsh, 28, for three years, but neither of them feels comfortable being affectionate in public.

“It’s just awkward,” said Kris, who owns Sweet Sol in Herne Bay with Chris.

“You feel eyes on you whenever you’re holding hands with your partner. We find it difficult because it means we can’t really be ourselves.

“We’ve also heard people say things like ‘it’s not right two guys being together’. Chris and I would love to be able to hold hands in the street, but people still shout at you, especially groups of kids. We just want to be left alone to live the way we want.”

Joseph Kerly, who also lives in Herne Bay, says he rarely holds hands or links arms with his boyfriend, Shane Gausden, because he worries about the comments they would receive.

“Even though it’s legal to now get married some parts of society still don’t accept you,” he said.

“You feel like you can’t be yourself in your own town, the place where you’ve grown up.”

This type of homophobia, while not physical, has affected Kris’s behaviour with his partner to such an extent that he feels he has to “muster up courage” before deciding to hold his hand in public.

“Chris and I were on the beach last summer and we saw a gay couple holding hands,” he added. “I remember looking at them and saying ‘that’s so nice; I wish we could do that more’.”

The chairman of Pride Canterbury, Edd Withers, has heard similar accounts from people across the LGBT+ spectrum.

He says events that specifically cater for gay people provide them with rare opportunities to fully express themselves away from their homes.

He also worries about the toll this continued lack of acceptance has on LGBT+ teenagers.

Figures released by Stonewall last year revealed that 60% of lesbian, gay and bisexual school and college pupils have self-harmed, while the figure for transgender people stood at 80%.

“They might not be getting beaten up anymore, but continually receiving verbal abuse or disapproving looks can have a massive impact on a young person’s mental health,” Mr Withers said.

“Feeling uneasy about being openly gay can be translated into feeling uneasy about who you are. Most teenagers will be able to kiss their partner on the school playground or down the high street, but the fear a young gay or lesbian person will have will seriously affect them.”

For help and advice or information on discrimination go to Stonewall's discrimination page.