Honey Boo Boo's Uncle Poodle says he was -- and still is -- the victim of some horrible anti-gay attacks ... suffered at the hands violent homophobes who broke his ribs and dislocated his jaw.

Poodle -- real name Lee Thompson -- dropped the bombshells in a video to commemorate GLAAD's Spirit Day -- which was created to fight intolerance and violence against the LGBT community.

Poodle explains, "Being gay in the South ... people don't like it."

"Growing up as a kid, I was bullied day in and day out ... broke ribs, dislocated jaw, cars vandalized ... I've had cars vandalized to this day."

Still, Poodle says he was able to get through it all because of his family and friends who stand by him.

"It is OK to be who you are ... don't let anybody change that."