02/24/2026
This Should Have Been a Night of Awareness Not Outrage
Should have been about celebration.
The film created to raise awareness of Tourette’s won awards. It was recognised. It was applauded. It was meant to shine a light on understanding.
Instead, the headlines are shining a light on John.
John is a man living with Tourette’s Syndrome. What happened at the BAFTAs was not deliberate. It was not a statement. It was not hate.
It was a tic.
Some people with Tourette’s experience coprolalia the involuntary expression of words or phrases that can be socially inappropriate or deeply offensive. These words are not thoughts. They are not beliefs. They are not choices. They are neurological impulses that can erupt without warning, especially in high pressure environments.
And now, the very thing the film tried to explain is being used to judge him.
Imagine sitting in a room knowing your own brain might betray you.
Imagine the fear.
Imagine the humiliation.
Imagine waking up to headlines that do not explain your condition only your worst moment.
This is the stigma we fight every single day.
The purpose of the film was awareness. Compassion. Education.
Instead, a man is being reduced to a symptom he cannot control.
That is not fair.
To those who are judging, we ask you to pause. Educate yourselves. Watch the film. Learn what Tourette’s truly is. Listen before you condemn.
Tourette’s is a neurological condition.
It is not racism.
It is not hatred.
It is not intentional.
It is complex. It is misunderstood. And moments like this show exactly why awareness still matters.
Our community stands for education over outrage. Understanding over assumption. Compassion over condemnation.
Because no one deserves to be defined by a tic.
John, the amount of awareness and support you have raised for the Tourette’s community has been incredible. Through your courage, honesty and willingness to stand in the spotlight, you have helped people feel seen, heard and understood. You have opened conversations that so many were afraid to have. You have educated those who did not understand and given strength to those who live with this condition every single day.
Your impact goes far beyond one moment. The awareness you and the film have raised will continue to make a difference long after the headlines fade.
As a charity, we are saddened to see the awareness raised by the fabulous movie ‘I Swear’ being overshadowed by rash opinions on social media.
It makes it even clearer how much work still needs to be done in raising understanding of what is a very difficult condition for those living with it.
We understand that the words shouted during tics can be offensive. But the people living with this condition are often already embarrassed and ashamed of the things they say, and it only adds to their pain when judgemental and harsh comments are made by those who clearly have no understanding of Tourette’s.
Today has shown us that ignorance still surrounds this condition. All we can do is continue our efforts to educate, raise awareness and stand firmly beside those who live with it every single day.
We are tired of watching our community be torn apart for symptoms they cannot control.
