A group of men linked to the Christian Lives Matter group allegedly attempted to disrupt a drag story time event in Sydney’s inner west on Saturday.
Witnesses told the Daily Telegraph newspaper that a group of men tried to gain access to the event at Marrickville Library. The men reportedly claimed they were “just looking for books”.
But witnesses said they felt threatened as the group stood around “menacingly”.
“They were being smart-ases but we knew why they were here,” one witness told the newspaper.
Police were called to the scene when four or five men left but continued to bang on the windows from outside of the library.
Video footage showed police confronting some of the men inside the library and asking them to move on.
No arrests were made and no public order incidents were reported.
The men are believed to be attached to Christian Lives Matter, whose leader Christian Sukkar was seen outside the venue with the group.
Sukkar has previously been charged with encouraging an attack on members of an LGBT group outside a Sydney church in 2023. In a video before that event, Sukkar called on his followers to “drag protesters by their head”. He has since apologised and said his words were blown out of proportion.
The event, hosted by drag performer Joyce Maynge and supported by the Inner West Council, was able to proceed despite the interruption.
Maynge told GSN they was unaware of the presence of the men.
“There was actually no disruption to the event whatsoever,” Maynge said
“It was only after the event that I learnt there were a couple of naysayers who were outside the library.
“I personally did not hear or see anything.
“I was telling stories and singing songs to a packed room of smiling happy faces.”
Labor Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne said he was proud to host drag story time events and would continue to do so.
“People mean-spirited enough to harass families trying to get to enjoy storytelling with their kids have way too much time on their hands,” Byrne said.
“We will continue to stand in solidarity with rainbow families and hold these fun and safe family events.”
Labor councillor Mat Howard, who is a gay dad, was also at the event and said he was proud to support it.
“We sang the alphabet song, row your boat and some other favourites. Radical stuff. We also sent a pretty powerful message: families are made in lots of different ways and all are loved and valued,” he said.
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: ben.grubb@gaysydneynews.com.au
