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Drag queens sue Christian leader who called them ‘dangerous role models’ for reading books in full costume to young kids at a library – sparking protest that ended with a tragic suicide
- Two drag queens suing former Australian Christian Lobby member Lyle Shelton
- Johnny Valkyrie, 23, and Dwayne Hill, 40, are asking for $10,000 each
- The pair were shamed in a series of blogs after they read books to children
- Demonstrators also interrupted their performance at Brisbane Square Library
Two drag queens who were interrupted by protesters while reading books to children are suing a prominent Christian leader and political activist for $20,000 over a series of online posts.
Johnny Valkyrie, 23, and Dwayne Hill 40, were performing Drag Storytime at Brisbane Square Library in January.
Their reading was interrupted by a loud group of University of Queensland Liberal National Club members who chanted ‘drag queens are not for kids’.
Gavin Wilson, 21, who took part in the protest, later took his own life following intense public backlash to the demonstration.
The demonstration and suicide prompted former Australian Christian Lobby member Lyle Shelton to lash out at the drag queens in a series of social media and blog posts, calling them ‘dangerous role models’.
Mr Valkyrie and Mr Hill are now suing Mr Shelton for $10,000 each through the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Johnny Valkyrie, 23 (right), and Dwayne Hill, 40 (left), were performing Drag Storytime at Brisbane Square Library in January
The demonstration and suicide prompted former Australian Christian Lobby member Lyle Shelton (pictured) to lash out at the drag queens in a series of social media and blog posts, calling them ‘dangerous role models’
They are also demanding an apology and retraction of his posts claiming they have suffered anxiety and depression because of them.
Mr Valkyrie said he has experienced suicidal thoughts while Mr Hill has ‘reduced his drag queen performances and had some difficulties as a result’.
Mr Shelton filed a letter to QCAT in July urging the pair to drop the case and that his Human Rights Law Alliance lawyers have not yet lodged a defence, Adelaide Now reported.
Mr Hill and Mr Valkyrie claim in their document the blogs make a number of ‘false implications’ about the pair.
Mr Hill goes by two show names, depending on the audience he is performing for.
He uses ‘Diamond’ when performing to children and ‘Diamond Good-Rim’ when performing adult shows.
The document filed to the QCAT claim that the blog makes a ‘false implication that he uses his adult stage name in children’s shows and false statements that he is in the pornography and ‘sex trade’ industries.’
Mr Hill and Mr Valkyrie claim in their document the blogs (pictured) make a number of ‘false implications’ about the pair
Mr Valkyrie (pictured) said he has experienced suicidal thoughts while Mr Hill has ‘reduced his drag queen performances and had some difficulties as a result’
Mr Shelton’s blog goes claims that ‘Good-Rim is a 2019 winner of an X Award from the Adult Entertainment Industry.’
But Mr Hill says he has not been involved in any adult films.
In the letter submitted by Mr Shelton in July, he says he holds no ‘ill will or feeling’.
‘I acknowledge that you are free to adopt and live out an identity and lifestyle that is at odds with my convictions and beliefs,’ the letter reads.
‘My blog post is a legitimate exercise of another fundamental freedom – my freedom of thought, speech and expression on issues which I feel strongly about and which are of significant public interest.’
Daily Mail Australia contacted Mr Shelton for comment.
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