AN LGBT event held during the Tory party conference was marred by incidents of homophobic behaviour, according to reports.
Those attending the party have voiced fury over the actions of others who had to be kicked out of the event for using abusive language.
The controversy occurred at the Reflex nightclub during a party organised by LGBT+ Conservatives on the final night of the conference.
The club night was open to anyone with a conference security pass, including members and lobbyists.
Speaking to ITV News, two sources have spoken of how one attendee had to be removed from the club after calling a gay man a “f**”.
A separate man was kicked out for calling two female partygoers “dirty l*****” – an extremely offensive slur for gay women.
One victim said: "We kicked someone out who was blind drunk and called me a dirty l***** and that I needed to watch my back.
“I don’t feel like I morally fit in anymore.”
Elena Bunbury, chair of LGBT+ Conservatives, referenced the abuse in a tweet on Tuesday evening.
The abuse my team at @LGBTCons have had tonight is disgusting. We’ve run a free event and it’s spoilt by the few that feel the need to to be abusive, not on at all. Thank you to those who were respectful, it means a lot 🤍
— Elena Bunbury (@elena_bunbury) October 5, 2022
Jessica Webster, head of women for LGBT+ Conservatives, tweeted on Wednesday morning.
A lot of people showed themselves up at the @LGBTCons party last night. We’re making a list and checking it twice. If you’d like to offer an apology this morning, mine and @elena_bunbury ‘s DMs are open.
— Jessica (@jessicazwebster) October 5, 2022
Bunbury commented: “It’s a real shame this happened and shows why groups like ours are so important.
"The venue staff were brilliant at removing people and had zero tolerance for it. We will continue to stand firm against hate crime.”
The Tory Party’s LGBT group has previously raised concerns over incidents at the party’s conference.
Over the last two years, there have been rows over the LGB Alliance – an activist group that opposes transgender rights – being given a stand in the conference hall.
And last month, Tory HQ demanded that LGBT+ Conservatives get rid of branded condoms from their conference stall, flagging concerns over the image they might convey.
The Conservative Party has been contacted for comment.
