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27 April 2022 10:58 AM

Drag Race UK’s Elektra Fence ‘felt totally helpless’ during homophobic assault

A group of people yelled homophobic abuse at the season three queen before physically assaulting her.

By Alastair James

Words: Alastair James; pictures: BBC and Instagram/@elektrafence

Drag Race UK‘s Elektra Fence says she felt “totally helpless” while she was homophobically assaulted over the weekend.

The season three queen said on Twitter on Tuesday (26 April) that the incident had happened on an Avanti West Coast train from Euston to Manchester on Sunday (24 April)

Elektra said she had been getting a cup of tea when she passed a group of five men and four women.

“I felt totally helpless”

As she walked away the group called after her using homophobic slurs, which she ignored. She was then grabbed by one man before being manhandled by the whole group. 

“It was incredibly aggressive and frightening and I felt totally helpless,” Elektra wrote. “The group then began to shout every homophobic slur under the sun at me. Pointing, laughing… generally vile behaviour.”

She reported this to the train manager, Lee, who ensured she was safe for the rest of the journey for which she thanked him “from the bottom of my heart”. 

She learned from Lee that the same group had yelled racist abuse at a member of staff as well. According to Elektra, the police were called but didn’t show up allowing the group to alight from the train at Crewe without consequence. 

“Attacks are at the back of many queer people’s minds every day, including mine; whether it’s holding my fiancé’s hand, leaving for work in drag/makeup or simply buying a cup of tea on a train…,” she went on to say.

She continues: “I want you all to know that I am a strong, resilient person and have suffered worse than this in my life. Despite this, I should not have to deal with or process an incident such as this in this day and age. As a victim of both physical and verbal bullying at school, this attack was triggering and I admit to being both upset and angry about it still. 

“I won’t be changing a thing about myself. I very nearly changed my outfit immediately after in order to blend in. But no. Our community has fought too hard. Dimming my light is not an option. I’ll never do it. I’ll never change. Ever.”

Finally, Elektra encourages people to look out for one another. 

In response to Elektra’s tweet, Avanti West Coast replied saying: “We are really sorry to hear that this happened onboard one of our trains Elektra, no one should have to experience that. Really glad to hear our TM Lee was there to support you ❤ If you are able to DM us with the journey details, we’ll get this looked into further.”

The Attitude May/June issue is out now.

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