Two injured in homophobic stabbing outside London nightclub The Two Brewers

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Two men were taken to hospital after being stabbed in a homophobic attack outside a nightclub.

The pair, one aged in their 20s and the other in their 30s, were outside the Two Brewers Bar on Clapham High Street, south London at around 10.15pm on Sunday when they were targeted.

They were treated in hospital and discharged.

Metropolitan Police are searching for the suspect in the attack they are treating as homophobic.

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 basic command units in London to support and advise 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.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 7198/13Aug, or to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.

A popular LGBT+ venue, The Two Brewers is a cabaret bar and dance club offering drag performances, karaoke and live screenings of popular TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race.

On Sunday evening, the venue had been hosting a cabaret event as part of its Sunday Funday Cabaret. The line-up included performers Mary Mac, Gladys Duffy, Sandra, Marsha Mallow and DJ Demon.

Following the incident, leading LGBT+ charity Stonewall accused the UK government of sitting “idle” amidst a string of violent attacks, referencing a backdrop of rising hate crime.

“We are appalled to hear that two men have been stabbed in an apparent homophobic attack outside a LGBTQ+ venue in Clapham. This incident has occurred amidst a climate of rising hate crime against people based on sexual orientation - which government statistics show as having more than doubled in England and Wales over the last five years”, Kieran Aldred, Head of Policy at Stonewall, told The Independent.

“Despite these alarming statistics and a string of violent, and in some unfortunate cases deadly, attacks, the UK Government has sat idle and there has been no hate crime strategy in place in England for over three years. It is unacceptable for LGBTQ+ people to live in fear, and we call on the UK Government to set out its plan to deal with rising homophobic and transphobic violence.”

Meanwhile, David Robson, Lambeth Labour Chair and Councillor for Clapham Town described the attack as “pure cowardice”, urging the need for extra police resources to tackle a recent surge in violent attacks.

“Clapham has long been a sanctuary for LGBT people and last night’s attack of two people simply enjoying a night out was pure cowardice. As someone who was in the venue last night, I thank the 2 Brewers security staff who were exemplary in keeping everyone safe”, Mr Robson told The Independent.

“Clapham High Street has faced challenges over the summer with ASB and other violent attacks. We desperately need an increase in police resources to tackle these issues head on and send a message that hate is not welcome here in Clapham or anywhere in London.

“I would also urge the community to always report a hate crime”, he added, referencing organisations like Galop that can help to ensure these incidents “aren’t repeated.”

“You can also talk to organisations like Switchboard for support if you have been affected by a hate crime.”

“It’s shocking and disgusting that in 2023 this is becoming frighteningly more frequent”, performer Mary Mac further tweeted.

“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.”