A chorus of cheers erupted from supporters of a New South Wales festival when a controversial bid to have it cancelled was defeated.
One of the largest crowds to attend an Orange City Council meeting crammed into the chambers and overflowed to neighbouring rooms to hear the much-anticipated debate about the event’s future.
It was triggered by a notice of motion from Councillor Kevin Duffy that called for the council to “cancel its involvement and activities in cash or in-kind … in the Rainbow Festival”.
In response, those in favour of the event going ahead created a petition urging councillors to oppose the motion.
Those against conducted a letterbox drop warning “there is no doubt this event is to promote and celebrate transgenderism and for the sexualisation of children and young adults”.
“It is an event to normalise what most of us do not consider normal,” the letter stated.
Festival of colour
The Rainbow Festival is due to be held over three days from March 22 and will feature a disco, rainbow walk and drag bingo.
The event is funded by the NSW government’s Regional Youth Investment Program, which pays for projects to enhance the lives and wellbeing of young people outside metropolitan areas.
Twenty-six people registered to speak at the council meeting’s public forum, 18 of whom were in favour of the festival.
Resident Ken Freedman told the meeting that cancelling the event would send a “deafening message of exclusion”.
“Imagine the message we send as a city if we choose to silence these voices?” he said.
Orange GP Chris Hayward was emotional as he said, “I don’t have the ability to undo the harm that would be caused by cancelling this festival”.
Those who wanted the festival cancelled said they believed a rainbow story time event was inappropriate for children because it was planned to be hosted by a drag queen.
It will now be delivered by the organising group, Sincerely Queer.
Two speakers described a “conservative majority” who had been “silent for too long” about the LGBTQIA+ community.
Resident Kris Dhillon said the event would “deliberately confuse children” and be a “recruitment campaign for children and teenagers into transgenderism”.
Emotional debate
The 12 councillors sat quietly and listened to each of the speakers before outlining their own reasons for either supporting or opposing Cr Duffy’s motion.
“If you cancel the Rainbow Festival, you are telling our children they can’t be who they want to be — you’re only telling them who you want them to be,” councillor Melanie McDonnell said.
Deputy Mayor Gerald Power, a Juru man, became emotional when expressing his support for the festival.
“I came here 40-plus years ago seeking one city that would accept me … hoping that I wouldn’t be judged for the colour of my skin, but the contents of my heart,” he said.
Councillors Kevin Duffy, Glenn Floyd and Steve Peterson supported the festival’s cancellation, but the motion was eventually defeated nine votes to three.
“I find this scenario inappropriate,” Cr Floyd said.
“I believe that in no way we should we be exposing young children [to this].”
Jordi Thurtell leads Sincerely Queer and said they were thrilled with the outcome.
“As long as it goes ahead, I really don’t mind!” they said.
“I’m glad so many people spoke against the motion, rather than for.
“It’s really good to know the councillors have a lot of the community’s backs.”
Mayor Jason Hamling said democracy had prevailed.
“Let’s get on and hold this festival,” he said.
“Hopefully it’s an annual event.”
