Leading up to International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, the media was campaigning for councils to cancel drag story time events in response to threats from right-wing groups.

Rainbow Community Angel Flis Marlowe stated that, “These people were calling library staff ‘groomers’ and ‘pedophiles’. It was horrendous. Ten councils cancelled their drag story-telling shows. When the Lethem Library, sadly, had to cancel theirs, we were prepared. We met the librarians; we visited the library and we worked with Frock Hudson, the drag performer scheduled to read on the day.”

The Rainbow Community Angels (RCA), a grassroots, community-led, safety initiative, formed in May. Marlowe said 60 Rainbow Community Angels were trained in 10 weeks. We formed “smiling, happy, disciplined rainbow lines against the far-right” and to shield families and library staff.

Government action doesn't seem to be enough with Greens Inner West councillor Liz Atkins saying that the Christian Right still comes to Pride Square and the police aren’t helpful. 

Josh Pallas from the NSW Civil Liberties Council also said that Labor’s support for religious discrimination bill risked LGBTIQ rights.

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