I didn’t stay for the vigil last night.

I was in Soho yesterday evening as the crowds converged on Old Compton Street to commemorate the 49 people shot dead by a crazed gunman at a gay nightclub in Florida. My friend Tom said come along but I’m not gay and somehow felt I hadn’t earned the right to be there. I never had to display the courage required to come out to provincial families who were less than understanding. I wasn’t bullied, spat on or called a “poof” simply because of my sexual preferences. But last night I was proud to come from London with its demonstrably sassy and thriving gay community. As I left Soho around 6.30, I walked past the nightclub where, many years ago, I used to DJ. My favourite nights were the gay nights. Boy, did they know how to party – especially when I played this particular mix of this particular track.