Another event for LGBTIQ youth has been cancelled after threats from "groups with radical views"

The homophobia and transphobia in Australia has been accelerating, and it's queer youth that are bearing the brunt of the consequences

We’re now at over six LGBTIQ youth events cancelled in Victoria, with Wangaratta’s Rainbow Ball announcing that it’s been “delayed” after being targeted by groups with “radical views”.

The Rural City of Wangaratta’s Rainbow Ball is described as “a celebration for LGBTIQA+ young people and their friends”, and features such terrifying activities as “dancefloor, DJ, face painting, performer, runway, live band, photobooth, activities and more”. It’s also “a full supervised, alcohol, drug, vape and smoke free event”.

This kind of event must be a lifeline for rural queer youth - and its cancellation only does two things, which is allowing far-right groups like the self-identified Nazis we saw turn up to the anti-trans rally at Melbourne hall, to flex their power, and to isolate and ostracise LGBTIQ youth, who we know are some of the most vulnerable members of the community. It’s heartbreaking, and dangerous for these kids in so many ways, not least because queer youth are at a horrifically high risk from self harm and suicide attempts. Events like these can be important ways of combatting that.

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It also sets a dangerous precedent – we have small hate-groups making concrete gains for their movement through intimidation and threats of violence. It seems to me like domestic terrorism, to use a problematic West Wing era term. We know these groups are small and loud, and often united only by a confected anti-queer panic, leading to situations like the KJK rally, where Nazis rubbed shoulders with “feminist” identifying transphobes (people who outwardly should hate to be considered on the same page about most things). I just saw two “gender critical” activists protesting outside of ABC Ballarat, accusing the ABC of being groomers - the same rhetoric shared by Nazi groups.

There’s been a string of LGBTIQ events cancelled in Victoria alone, mirroring a broader problem felt across Australia and the world. Last month featured two drag storytime events for children cancelled, most recently one scheduled to be held at Eltham Library was moved online following serious concerns of threats of violence by protesters.

As reported at The Guardian, far-right groups celebrated over the encrypted messaging app Telegram, a Monash council drag storytime cancellation, proclaiming it “a victory” and promising to campaign against future queer events.

I may be over cynical here, but I feel like if Nazis were threatening non-queer events for children at public libraries there would be a national outrage. I feel like if Nazis were calling The Wiggles pedophiles and threatening to kill anyone at their concerts, this would be top news. I feel like if far-right groups were getting “regular” formals and proms around the country cancelled, something would start being done.

According to The ABC, “Victoria police said the safety strategy for queer events is an ‘issue for councils’ who should be preparing their own safety plans”.

I’m loathe to call for increased policing of queer events - but as people have pointed out, a bare minimum is a case for anti-vilification laws to specifically protected LGBTIQ people, as currently Victoria’s anti-vilification law does not protect gender identity and sexuality.

“If we had stronger anti-vilification laws, if police were willing to enforce the laws that they have, and if councils worked to ensure that their local laws were enforced, then we will be able to deal with these issues early on,” Victorian Pride Lobby’s Sean Mulcahy told The Guardian.

At present, it feels like the majority of Australia is seeing this as a “you” issue, for the queer community to sort out on their own.

A good first step is agitating for anti-vilification laws around Australia that include sexuality and gender identity.

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