Arts & Entertainment
Police say gay YouTuber Calum McSwiggan faked homophobic attack
authorities claim there were no ‘visible injuries’
(Left photo via Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Right photo via Instagram)
Gay YouTuber Calum McSwiggan claimed he was attacked in a hate crime in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, but police now say those claims are false.
The British vlogger, 26, was visiting Los Angeles to attend VidCon, an online content creator convention. While there, he and his friends went to The Abbey, a popular gay club in West Hollywood. That night, McSwiggan uploaded a photo of himself in the hospital saying he had been attacked outside the club by three men.
He claimed the attack resulted in three broken teeth and six stitches on his forehead. McSwiggan also accused police of not helping and making him feel like a “second class citizen.” His friend, fellow YouTuber Riyadh Khalaf, backed up McSwiggan’s claim tweeting McSwiggan had been attacked after being separated from his friends.
“I’ve never felt so terrified to be a gay man in the public eye,” McSwiggan wrote in the Instagram caption.
Police have responded saying that McSwiggan was arrested for vandalizing a car outside the club. Holly M. Perez, captain of the West Hollywood Station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, told The Advocate McSwiggan had no “visible injuries” upon his arrest. His mugshot also shows no apparent injuries.
Perez told The Advocate that McSwiggan was placed in a cell alone where he was “observed injuring himself with the handle and receiver to a payphone inside the cell.” McSwiggan was then taken to the hospital where he uploaded the photo to Instagram.
McSwiggan took to Twitter to defend his claims writing “I’ve been told to say nothing before court tomorrow but staying silent here is killing us. If you’re a friend just DM me for the truth.”
Khalaf also still says the attack happened tweeting “I’m not commenting until tomorrow when we know more and can legally speak. I saw Cal screaming crying after the attack. He didn’t fake it.”
McSwiggan has more than 60,000 subscribers and posts videos about sex and mental health, among other topics.
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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