Mr Loverman: How the BBC series explores black LGBT life

In his decades of campaigning, Brown says he experienced physical violence “several times.”

According to recent Home Office data, hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation have fallen for the second year running, to 22,839 reported incidents in England and Wales.

But, Brown says, “For young black people, the world can sometimes feel isolating.”

In previous decades, public figures were sometimes subjected to abuse, such as gay footballer Justin Fashanu, who is referenced in Mr Loverman.

Today, Brown says there have been changes in the way black and gay men are perceived and instead he sees a “sense of pride and positive role models.”

He adds: “Today, television, organizations, music, magazines and websites allow Black LGBTQ+ people to see themselves and connect, creating a community.”

In fact, there are now high-profile black LGBT figures, including British Vogue cover star Munroe Bergdorf, No. 1 Head & Heart singer-songwriter MNEK, and Olympian Kelly Holmes.

According to Thompson, Loverman “tries to offer different perspectives on being black and LGBTQ+ across the decades.”

He adds: “Mr. Loverman is a powerful reminder that Black LGBTQ+ people have always been here and part of our communities.”