Content warning: bullying and suicide
Last week, University of Queensland’s Liberal National Club member, Wilson Gavin was found dead.
His death has been reported as a suicide.
Drag Queen Story Hour protests
On Sunday, 12 June, University of Queensland’s the Liberal National Club protested Drag QueenStory Hour at the Brisbane SquareLibrary.
The confrontation between drag queen, Diamond Goodrim and Wilson Gavin, among others got heated. Children who were at the library reportedly got scared and distressed. The Liberal National Club protesters faced backlash over their conduct and timing of the protest. Some of the criticisms were from members of the Liberal/ National Party,
Footage of the protest was taken and posted on social media. The footage featured Gavin at the front of the protest having a heated confrontation with drag queen Diamond Good Rim.
I feel for Gavin’s family and friends. I can only imagine what they are going through. Suicide is tragic for everyone who knew the person.Things will never be the same for those left behind.
For a person to take their own lives, it’s highly likely that they were suffering terribly. Mental illness is listed as one of the biggest risk factors for suicide.
At only twenty – one, Gavin was also in the most vulnerable age bracket. While suicide can happen at any age, the age group with one of the highest suicide rate is 15 – 29.
Same – sex marriage campaign
Gavin was a vocal opponent of same – sex marriage in 2017.
LGBTQ+ opponents of same – sex marriage were unfairly accused of ‘betraying’ their own. Some were accused of having ‘internal homophobia’.
The public spat between Liberal staffer, Josh Manuatu and Mamamia founder, Mia Freedman was about just that. Freedman wrote a tweet about Manuatu’s relationship with MP, Eric Abetz and his public opposition to same – sex marriage. She ended the tweet with the rhetorical question if Manuatu had ‘internalised homophobia”.
I was critical of Freedman for that. LGBTQ+ people are bound to have a variety of social and political opinions.
The debate leading up to the postal vote was hard on LGBTQ+ people. Counselling services saw a spike in calls for help. I wonder how many LGBTQ+ people who opposed same – sex marriage also found the debate hard.
Conservatives respond
News of Gavin’s death has spread to the U.S. Many people have showed shock and dismay at the news like many Australians have.
Conservative Christian public speaker and author Elizabeth Johnson, a.k.a ‘The Activist Mommy’ wrote a post on her website lamenting Gavin’s death. I find it a bit hypocritical, considering she advocates ex – gay conversion, which has proven to contribute to LGBTQ+ youth suicide.
Whatever you think of Gavin’s actions that day, most can agree that what happened afterwards was tragic. It should send a warning to anyone thinking about bullying another person, including online.
If you are struggling with your mental health, you can contact:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
For LGBTQ+ people, you can contact Q Life: 1800 184 157 or via their webchat.
If you or anyone you know is in immediate danger, call 000 (or your national emergency number).
