The owner of Baby Love has strongly denied claims that Poptarts, the popular gay night, is to move to another club.
Sam Brandon, a long-time DJ at Poptarts and event promoter, has announced that he is leaving the club and is setting up a gay night at Plush.
In an email circulated among students of the LGBTQ society, Brandon wrote, “I am writing to you to inform you that Poptarts will no longer be running at Baby Love Bar due to increasing security threats upon the LGBTQ customers. It is clear that Baby Love Bar cannot support our mission of a safe night out and it is time to move to a venue that share our values.”
He claimed that there has been “a longstanding issue of homophobic abuse directed at clubbers” and also alleged that there has been “a decline in the attitudes of the staff with regards to who is let in.”
Brandon specifically highlighted a recent event, in which he claimed that a man was allowed into the club for three hours despite making multiple homophobic comments and acting violently towards others.
However, CCTV footage viewed by Cherwell shows that the man was in the club for less than thirty minutes under the supervision of security. The owner of Baby Love has added that any such abusive behaviour is not tolerated, and that the man is now barred. He also “strongly refutes” claims that the issue of homophobic abuse has been pertinent, with one member of security commenting, “I’ve been working here for four and a half years and no one’s complained to me about homophobic behaviour.”
The owner also denied Brandon’s claim that Poptarts would be moving, telling Cherwell, “I’ve been running this night for eternity. We will continue Poptarts at Baby Love as we have a responsibility towards the LGBTQ community in Oxford.”
Jack Powell, a third year at Wadham, responded to the claim that Poptarts would be moving, saying, “I think this is a tragedy for LGBTQ students in Oxford. I never felt more comfortable in my own sexual identity than when I could dance to Britney is such an easygoing place.”
