Key Points
- Misleading and unauthorised flyers have been circulated to the Brisbane community ahead of a Pride march.
- Queensland MP Joan Pease has labelled them "fake and deceitful" as she encouraged locals to attend the event on Sunday.
- Organisers have addressed concerns by locals and reiterated the family friendly nature of Wynnum Fringe festivities.
Doctored flyers for an LGBTIQ+ pride festival - suggesting festivities will include "kissing classes" with children - have been condemned by a Queensland MP whose name and image were used in the pamphlets without her knowledge.
The pamphlets depict a range of activities including "fancy dress" alongside a picture of a child with a gag ball in his mouth, and an image of an adult, with their face covered, in leather S&M attire sitting next to a boy above a "pet the animals" caption.
In the pamphlets, parents are encouraged to bring children to the event, and falsely claims to have the support of Lytton MP Joan Pease, Wynnum councillor Sara Whitmee, Brisbane City Council, and the Bank of Queensland.
Residents of the Wynnum Manly community have received these fake and unauthorised flyers, falsely depicting events at a Brisbane Pride event. Source: SBS News / Supplied
"The Bay Pride event is NOT an inappropriate, lewd or explicit event and will not contain any acts or representations to that effect, as has been wrongfully depicted in the fake flyer that Baysiders have received," she said in a statement.
The posters utilise the logos and talent of the community festival Wynnum Fringe - which Bay Pride is taking place as part of - to appear legitimate. They are being circulated alongside two letters urging residents of the area to attend a protest against festivities at the same time as the Pride march.
They claim the protest is "against the hyper-sexualised nature of pride marches", not "homophobia or transphobia".
Pease reiterated her support for the genuine Bay Pride event, which she said would be a "celebration of our beautiful local community", and encouraged families to attend the march in bright colours.
Councillor Whitmee said she was "profoundly disappointed" by the divisive flyers, stating "homophobia has no rightful place in (the) Wynnum Manly community".
She urged locals to denounce homophobia by joining her at the Pride walk, praising Wynnum Fringe organisers for "tirelessly working to foster community cohesion".
Wynnum Fringe organisers take stand against 'bullying'
Taking place on 26 November, the Pride march is a walk from Wynnum Jetty to George Clayton Park to celebrate "love, kindness and equality".
Wynnum Fringe founder and director Tom Oliver said it was important to "stick up" for what was right and celebrate diversity and inclusivity by attending the march.
"I'm disheartened by the situation, but I think it's a small moment in a big conversation. As a festival, we can't surrender to bullying and we need to stick up for what's right and fair," he told SBS News.
"Community wellbeing is our top priority and this Pride march is family-friendly.
"I urge people from all over South East Queensland to jump in the car and support all performances at Wynnum Fringe, especially at Bay Pride. These artists need your support now more than ever."
The Bay Pride event is one part of Wynnum Fringe, which will run for three weeks, and also include performances by musicians and characters from children's TV show, Bluey.
Two weeks ago Oliver reassured concerned locals at a town hall about the family-friendly nature of the event, after learning that some residents were calling festival sponsors to pull their money.
Wynnum Fringe runs for three weeks, and organisers have stressed its family-friendly nature. Source: SBS News / Supplied
"I hope that locals from all colours of the rainbow can feel proud of their community and come together with love and unity, to remind everyone, especially young people that it's okay to be yourself," he said.
