UPDATE: Calum’s claims have been seriously contested by the West Hollywood Police. Read all about those surprising details here.
LGBTQ and lifestyle YouTuber Calum McSwiggan recently shared a photo of himself from the hospital, describing the events leading up to it the “worst night of my life.” Over the weekend, McSwiggan attended VidCon, a conference in Anaheim that brings together online video creators, fans, and members of the industry. Afterwards, he drove up to Los Angeles to celebrate in West Hollywood. Late in the night, McSwiggan was separated from his friends, and just outside the Abbey, he was targeted by three men who brutally beat him.
He detailed the horrible episode on Instagram:
With three broken teeth and six stitches in my forehead, I’ve never felt so terrified to be a gay man in the public eye. All I can do is thank my wonderful friends @riyadhk, @melaniiemurphyand @douga_ for being with me the whole way. I’d be lost without them. Right now I don’t feel that I’m in the right place to talk about this but I will be addressing this fully in the future.
On Twitter, a friend of McSwiggan’s and another Youtuber Riyadh Khalaf added that the attack could have been premeditated, since it doesn’t take a hacker to figure out where popular YouTubers are at any given moment:
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
These people knew where we were going to be because of our posts on social media before we went out and even said our names as they beat him
— Riyadh Khalaf (@RiyadhK) June 28, 2016
Be safe online and stick with your group, especially when travelling in places you don’t know. Please give Cal all your love today x
— Riyadh Khalaf (@RiyadhK) June 28, 2016
Here’s how McSwiggan shared the news with friends and fans:
McSwiggan’s Youtube channel consists of humorous, candid, and LGBTQ content and vlogs like “The Gay Agenda,” his reaction to the Orlando shooting, and “The Lies Depression Tells You.”
Stache
Not arguing but he sure looks good for being in such a violent assault. Where’s the bruises?
Most importantly. Why were your supposedly “good friends” just standing around watching you get your ass beaten up? The abbey has security all over. Why weren’t any of them there protecting you either? Just too much to believe here.
Stache
Maybe someone can fill me in but never heard of this “popular Youtuber”.
joeyty
@Stache: I agree with you. I’m highly suspicious of this case.
Pistolo
@Stache: Someone could’ve just shoved him down and kicked his stomach in.
woodroad34
That area is so populated, I’m surprised no one witnessed any kind of beating. I need more information.
Xzamilio
http://www.wehoville.com/2016/06/28/gay-youtube-celebs-claim-of-weho-beating-is-questioned/
There are some doubts about the validity of his claim. Although, 1. I find it deplorable that someone would lie about a hate crime (although it has happened before and I’m not saying he is_ and 2. It would not be the first time a YouTuber pulled a stunt to get attention.
zooby
Another gay guy faking a hate crime for attention. Seriously, people are crazy. Take your meds.
Xzamilio
And this is precisely why hate crime/rape allegations need to be rightfully scrutinized and met with skepticism, because when they are determined to be false, it makes it that much more difficult for actual victims. This “listen and believe” narrative helps no one.
DeserTBoB
WTF is WRONG with those dizzy bitches down there? Admittedly, I moved out of there in ’81 when things were going plotz in rapid order, having been there since ’78, but the crime reports, the tweekers running amok in Santa Monica Blvd. at all hours, the blacks coming up from South Central to commit burglaries and beatdowns…I don’t think WeHo’s going to ever see me again in THIS lifetime! I mean, there’s always been “drama” down there (stick a whole bunch of queers in one geographic place, and you’re going to get that) but lately, the place is a major wacko zone. Buh bye, bitches…don’t think it hasn’t been nice….BECAUSE IT HASN’T!
Bob LaBlah
@joeyty: I too thought along the same lines. Three broken teeth but no swollen lip?
joeyty
@Bob LaBlah: Yes. We didn’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to be suspicious of this one.
NateB79
If you go to Towleroad, they have his mugshot posted, which was taken the night before he posted his hospital pic. There isn’t a mark on him.
Wayesworld
You people aren’t very sympathetic. Your treating him like he is a subspect and making judgement without even knowing all the facts. Gay people do get attacked late at night outside of gay bars. Sadly enough, it is not going to be the first time or the last time for that to happen.
NateB79
We’re not judging him without facts. There are facts. The sheriff’s department is unable to corroborate his story of an attack, his mugshot taken the same night as the alleged attack shows him with zero injuries. The police state that they witnessed him injuring himself in his jail cell and that was then he was taken to the hospital to produce the above photo. Show me where judgement without any information has taken place.
NateB79
Also as someone on facebook pointed out, that’s a pretty hasty, badly applied attempt at trying to use gauze and medical tape to look like it’s covering an actual injury.