University students protest Drag Queen Story Time in Queensland.

[Agrona]

Warning: Suicide.

Not many details released.
www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-13/liberal-national-club-president-wilson-gavin-dies/11863096

[JanesKettle]

Sad story.

He wasn't wrong to say that drag doesn't belong in kids' library time.

I don't feel I can say more, given the circumstances.

[EverardDigby]

How on Earth is it appropriate to have someone called Diamond Good-Rim involved in storytime with children?

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

I saw the story about the protest yesterday, it was all over twitter. Very sad that this has happened.

Twitter really is an open sewer.

[OhHolyJesus]

This is tragic. A young man doing good, I ca only imagine the type of attacks he cane under, he was probably told to kill himself, I've seen similar messages. Awful.

The name of the drag queen too. Vile.

[OhHolyJesus]

Digby wander over to the Vinegar Strokes thread...

[Strongmummy]

Very sad.

My 6 year old boy loves watching (censored) bits of RuPaul’s drag race with me however and I think it’s important that kids understand from a young age that it’s absolutely fine for boys to express themselves. As long as drag is performed tastefully and is respectful to women I have no issue with it.

Watch “Paris is Burning”.

[Cwenthryth]

Why are they referring to the drag queen quoted as ‘she’? I thought the whole point of drag was that it is men role-playing. In these circumstances, you wouldn’t expect Lily Savage to be quoted in character, the heartfelt sympathy would come from Paul O’Grady. (Just using him as an example as he is someone whose drag & real personas are both well known).

[Strongmummy]

@Cwenthryth agree completely.

[Agrona]

Agree with most of the sentiments expressed.

There is a twitter thread which is full of victim blaming for the suicide. Victim blaming is not okay!

I wonder if any of these 'blamers' were as vocal to Wilson immediately before his death. Did they talk to him of his homophobia? His betrayal of the LGB community?

Also, why is it a good idea for Drag Queens to read stories to children? Why force your belief on a child who may have trouble understanding what is happening?

[Catapultaway]

"Why force your belief on a child who may have trouble understanding what is happening?"

Surely that's for the parents to decide, not a group of people chanting in front of kids.

Not something I would take my kids to. But then how is it any different to taking kids to a church for example?

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Generally speaking the church congregation isn't used to validate a fetish.

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

Wait a mo! The drag queen, who for some reason is 'she', is thanking people for their support??? WHTF!!!???

[DanaPhoenix]

RIP young man.

I'm not on twitter but I observed the vitriol and shaming that this group was subjected to. Australia is a tinderbox at the moment and not just due to the fires. Everyone is on edge. I just completely lost my shit about an hour ago and released my inner bogan at idiots setting off fireworks nearby.

Yes really I'm located close to a National Park, my home is surrounded by bushland and while sitting on my deck I hear a massive bang, I turn to see fireworks exploding above the tree tops. My response "Are you actually fucking kidding me?" "You absolute fucking morons". Yelled at the top of my voice. My sons came running, they know when mum has reached her limit.

Sadly I don't think we can come together as a country to fix this. Both sides are hating too deep. I sit here in the middle in complete despair. Now every single difference of opinion is amplified tenfold. This whole terrible situation is a prime example. Point scoring and vitriol instead of focusing on what really matters. FFS people dead, homes lost, countless animals dead.

One thing that I enjoy about being an Aussie is our "she'll be right mate" attitude and our ability to pull together when the going gets tough. I can never recall such division in my country. It's all gone to shit and I'm sorry for my rant, but I think I really need to vent. I can't stop crying right now.

[AutumnRose1]

"Twitter really is an open sewer."

I really can't see why anyone says that but in this context it's good that the protest was seen, surely? I don't think I'd know about Drag Queen storytime without it. I hear a lot of blame for things going to Twitter and I don't think the news should focus on it so much, but ultimately social media reflects humanity surely?

Anyway....I will stick my neck out and say, I'm really grateful to the people who have the courage to go and protest at these things.

To the poster in Australia - every country is the same over this problem. I am not one for conspiracy theories but this issue has got me wondering about a lot of things!

[AutumnRose1]

Agree a performer with that name - fine for cabaret at a bar, but not for a library.

[Goosefoot]

I saw a news item about this protest yesterday. The comments were really just so lacking in any thought. I don't think everyone has to agree with my perspective but how is it that questioning why an adult entertainment would be right for kids isn't something reasonable to discuss? No one was born to be a drag queen and need that recognition to be authentic.

[Goosefoot]

Damn,, that's a mispost.

I don't even know how that happened?

[OldCrone]

The Guardian's take on it. They've been a bit coy about using Diamond Good-Rim's full name. I wonder why that might be?

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/13/drag-queen-storytime-at-brisbane-library-disrupted-by-rightwing-student-group

They also seem to think the political group is right wing, when wikipedia describe them as centre-right (I have no idea what they represent as I don't know anything about Australian politics).

[BorneoBabe]

Drag is adult entertainment. I read a column a while back about a gay rights advocate who reminded readers of its original sexual connotations. As mentioned, the name 'Good-Rim' says it all.

Grooming and sexualization of kids happening before our very eyes.

[StuckBetweenDarknessAndLight]

How on Earth is it appropriate to have someone called Diamond Good-Rim involved in storytime with children?
If anyone is ever in doubt about the misogyny in drag you just need to look at their names.

[jadefinch]

Trans activists are saying it's hilarious that he's killed himself

[skql]

my god...

[AutumnRose1]

Is that a parody account? Looking at the other tweets, I really can’t tell.

[JustTurtlesAllTheWayDown]

Is that a parody account? Looking at the other tweets, I really can’t tell.
No, it's real unfortunately. Been around for a while, enjoying the opportunity to 'correct' women. Very unpleasant person.