Drag Race UK star Bagga Chips “shocked and angered” after Clapham homophobic gay bar stabbing

Members of the LGBT+ community say they “won’t let hate win” following an attack on two men outside an LGBT+ nightclub in south London.

The men, in their 20s and 30s, were attacked outside the Two Brewers in Clapham High Street on Sunday night.

The Met Police said it was treating the stabbings as homophobic. The men have since been sent home from hospital.

No arrests have yet been made.

Drag Race UK star Bagga Chips, who works at the Two Brewers says she is “shocked and angry” after the attack.

She told 5 News: “I’ve worked at the Two Brewers for 15 years, I perform there regularly, I performed there last week. I was supposed to be there when it happened, I do their Sundays all the time.

“I’m angry, but I’m also shocked, because these are our safe spaces, this is where LGBTQ+ people go to have fun, have a drink, let their hair down and you can’t even be safe.”

Lambeth Labour chair Cllr David Robson said he was in the club on Sunday night when the doors were “dramatically shut”.

After seeing someone wounded on the floor, he said: “I called the police immediately, and to their credit they were there quite quickly. The victims were looked at, there was a bit of a response, and they went off in an ambulance, got checked.”

Cllr Robson, Bagga Chips and others gathered outside the Two Brewers on Monday evening to share solidarity with the pub and its community.

On Twitter Robson wrote: “Solidarity from the Two Brewers. We won’t let hate win here in Clapham or anywhere.”

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The incident in Clapham High Street on Sunday night was abhorrent. It’s a huge relief that the victims of this appalling attack are out of hospital, and my thoughts remain with them and their loved ones.

“I have always been clear that there is no place for hate in London. I stand with LGBTQI+ Londoners and will do all I can to end hate crime in the capital. My team, along with the Met Police, are supporting and working closely with the LGBTQ+ Venues Forum and its members who will be invited to attend an urgent meeting later this week.

“The investigation into this attack is continuing and if you have any information, please do not stay silent – contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Met Detective Inspector Gary Castle said: “We are acutely aware of the shock this attack will cause members of the LGBT+ community and want to reassure people that an urgent investigation is ongoing to locate the person responsible.

“We recently announced the reinstatement of LGBT+ community liaison officers for each of our 12 BCUs in London to support and advice on investigations where homophobia is a motive, and to ensure the community has a dedicated point of contact to address any concerns they may have.”

Drag performer Mary Mac, who was at the venue on Sunday, said: “It’s shocking and disgusting that in 2023 this is becoming frighteningly more frequent.

“The team at The Two Brewers were incredible in dealing with this and keeping us inside the venue safe, glad the victims have been discharged and hope they are with loved ones now to help.”

Anyone with information is being asked to contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD7198/13Aug.

You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.