Neo-Nazis Target Melbourne, Australia Drag Event

A drag event for young people at the Victorian Pride Centre in Melbourne on Thursday was targeted by neo-Nazi groups, according to Star Observer Australia.

The event, “Glitter Nova,” was geared towards 12- to 25-year-olds. It would have included workshops with drag performers Alexander McKween, Belial B’Zarr, and Randy Roy.

The event was postponed after it surfaced that a group called “People Against Pedos” was planning a protest.

The group had posted on Telegram channels “XYZ News,” “Turning Point Australia,” and “Australian Meditations Nationalist Yarn.” The latter is believed to be connected with the National Socialist Network, founded by Australian neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell.

“In order to maintain our commitment to safe and inclusive events,” the organizers of “Glitter Nova” said, “we feel our only option is to postpone the event in order for us to ensure the safety of our attendees.”

“Glitter Nova was designed… to be a safe, fun, joyful event for young people to connect and celebrate with their community,” they continued. “We understand and acknowledge the disappointment that will be felt by the young people who planned to attend.”

The event will be rescheduled for a later date to be announced.

“Our decision to postpone the event in no way legitimises the statements made by the protest groups,” the organizers added. “We fully support our LGBTIQA+ community and are committed to a culture of child safety.”

This is not the first time that such an event has been targeted.

On September 30, members of the National Socialist Network targeted a youth festival in Moonee Ponds, a Melbourne suburb, that included drag performances. They shouted homophobic and transphobic slogans and performed Hitler salutes.