A man who attended a New Year's Eve bash at one of the UK's oldest and best-known gay venues angrily demanded a refund after see...
A man who attended a New Year's Eve bash at one of the UK's oldest and best-known gay venues angrily demanded a refund after seeing two men kiss, it is claimed.
The man, known only as Stuart, allegedly emailed promoters at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in south London to moan that its monthly pop night turned "into a gay evening".
But in a stinging rebuke he was told that he wouldn't receive a refund and his money would instead be donated to the LGBT charity Stonewall in his honour.
And he was advised to stay at home watching telly next year instead of partying in "the most fabulously diverse city on the planet."
Rob Holley, a promoter and DJ at Push The Button, a monthly pop night, shared Twitter screenshots of his email exchange with the man.
After visiting the iconic venue, Stuart allegedly emailed on January 2 to complain about his experience at the well-known LGBT venue.
In his first email, he complained: "The event was a GBLT evening and this was not advertised in the website.
"I attended the venue with my girlfriend and we ended up having to leave before midnight."
In his initial response to Stuart, Mr Holley replied that the popular night has been running for eight years with the same LGBT-inclusive policy.
He added: "Push The Button is queer-run and welcomes respectful pop lovers of all genders and sexualities.
"Hope that helps. Wishing you a Happy New Year."
On the ticket page for the annual event, it also states: "Push The Button is queer-run and welcomes respectful music lovers of all genders and sexualities."
But an enraged Stuart replied and demanded a refund claiming that the sold-out evening had made him feel uncomfortable and he missed the countdown to the new year.
He added: "The venue was turned into a gay evening.
"I am not homophobic but this was not advertised on the website. I would like a full refund as our NYE was ruined."
Mr Holley responded: "We often get people bellyaching over the lack of Kylie or why we chose not to play the new Loreen track, but in our 8 years we've not once had anyone complain that they felt uncomfortable because of their sexuality.
"For our benefit in working towards a better experience for all, can I ask specifically what it was about the evening that made you and your girlfriend feel uncomfortable and who was it that compelled you to leave?"
Stuart claimed that seeing men kissing each other at the venue had ruined their evening.
In his email, he said: "I have no desire to see men kissing each other and neither did my partner."
He added: "All I can say is that this is a NYE we will not be looking back on with happy memories."
Mr Holley refused to refund the tickets but offered to donate £50 in Stuart's honour instead.
He added: "If you're going out in Zone 1 of the most fabulously diverse city on the planet, and the sight of two men kissing makes you and your girlfriend uncomfortable, I'd suggest looking to spend NYE 2019 (and every other weekend) at home, in front of the telly."
In one exchange, Stuart allegedly called him an "ignorant p***k".
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, which is known for its cabaret and drag performances, was designated a listed building in 2013 because of its significance to the LGBT community.
In the 1980s, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury allegedly disguised the late Princess Diana as a male model and smuggled her into a club night at the venue.
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