Now Playing

A Gay YouTuber Has Been Beaten Up In A Homophobic Attack At Vidcon

28 June 2016, 14:38 | Updated: 4 December 2017, 11:10

British vlogger Calum McSwiggan was attacked in California after being separated from his friends.

London-based YouTuber Calum McSwiggan has revealed that he was attacked by three guys after being separated from his friends in Anaheim, California.

> Adele Breaks Down In Tears Dedicating Her Show To The Victims Of Orlando's Pulse Shootings

Calum shared his horrific injuries with his Instagram followers earlier today after being attacked outside a gay club following Vidcon - an annual convention which attracts some of the biggest names from the online video world.

Last night was the worst night of my life and I'm really struggling to find the words to talk about it. After one of the most wonderful weekends at VidCon we went out to a gay club to celebrate, and towards the end of the evening I was separated from my friends and beaten up by three guys. The authorities should have been there to help and protect me but instead they treated me like a second class citizen. 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, @melaniiemurphy and @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.

A photo posted by LGBT+ Lifestyle YouTuber ✖️ (@calummcswiggan) onJun 27, 2016 at 7:03pm PDT

Fellow YouTuber Riyadhk has suggested that it might not have been a random attack, and that Calum's attackers could have tracked the group down through their social media channels, even saying his name as they beat him.

Something awful happened to one of my best friends last night while we were just having a fun night out on holiday. Thankfully all is ok now but it's in those terrifying moments when you realise that these people are more than friends, they're your chosen family. Hug your bestie extra tight tonight

A photo posted by Riyadh Khalaf (@riyadhk) onJun 27, 2016 at 5:20pm PDT

Haven't spoken about it at all but last night @CalumMcSwiggan was attacked by three guys outside a gay bar in LA. It was disgusting and..
— Riyadh Khalaf (@RiyadhK) June 28, 2016

Terrifying to see this shit still goes on in today's world and to one of my closest and dearest friends. He has three cracked teeth and
— Riyadh Khalaf (@RiyadhK) June 28, 2016

Stitches in his head but is safe and somewhat well with us now. Please please be safe when out with friends and don't get separated
— Riyadh Khalaf (@RiyadhK) June 28, 2016

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

The attack comes just weeks after a shooting at an LGBT venue in Orlando left 49 dead, with stars like Adele paying tribute.

NEXT: Shawn Mendes Addresses THOSE Gay Rumours