Australia: Victoria Premier tells parents concerned about 'drag queen storytime' for children: ‘Go to Florida’

Victoria Premier Dan Andrews Thursday told parents who are concerned about their children being sexualized to move to Florida with their “hateful views”.

Florida has recently passed several laws protecting children from sexualization and predators. Last week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expanded the death penalty to include child rapists, while the legislature passed a bill to ban genital mutilation for minors, which has been assigned the nom de guerre “gender-affirming care”.

Another bill passed by the state prohibits teachers from discussing sexuality or their sexual preferences with children in kindergarten through third grade. The law drew alarming backlash from the Left, which included Disney sparking a feud with DeSantis.

Florida’s legislature has also passed a measure to prevent establishments from allowing children in to see “lewd” performances, which media operatives have correctly assumed to refer to drag shows. The bill comes amid a growing trend of establishments hosting drag shows which often involve vividly lewd dances which are directed specifically at children who are present.

In Melbourne’s suburb of Monash last week, several activists showed up to protest a “drag queen storytime” for children scheduled by the local government. The City of Monash then canceled the event, claiming it was advised by Victorian police to do so after receiving threats.

“It is incredibly disappointing to have to cancel an event designed to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, but we were left with no choice after Victoria Police advised council of the risks associated with holding the event,” said Monash CEO Dr Diamond in a statement.

“Our drag storytime event was designed to introduce children to diverse role models and encourage acceptance, love and respect for our LGBTIQA+ community. It is so disappointing that some people have a long way to go before this is achieved."

A week before, protesters interrupted a city council meeting to discuss the “drag storytime event” and clashed with those who supported the idea. Police were called in to control the crowd.

On Thursday, Victoria Premier Andrews admonished the “shameful” protesters.

“I don’t know how many of these protesters, with not an exercise in free speech but an exercise in hate speech, bigotry, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia – the list goes on,” said Andrews.

“Ugly scenes, ugly scenes on any measure, including death threats against council officers and councillors. It is a disgrace. It is a disgrace. It’s shameful.”

“Shameful, shameful,” echoed some members of Parliament, before Andrews told those opposing “drag storytime” to move to Florida with their “hate”.

“And my message to those people is very clear: if you want to behave like the worst elements of the Florida Republican Party, well get to Florida. Get over there, where your hateful views might be worth something. They’re worth nothing here. We won’t stand for that ugly behaviour here. It’s appalling.”

“Equality is not negotiable,” he concluded. “And despite the carry-on and the shameful behaviour of a small few, this government remains committed to every single Victorian, no matter who they are or who they love.”

Andrews’ current commitment to Victorians stands in harsh contrast to his treatment of Victorians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There is going to be a vaccinated economy, and you get to participate in that if you are vaccinated," Victoria Premier Dan Andrews said in September 2021. "We're going to move to a situation where, to protect the health system, we are going to lock out people who are not vaccinated and can be," he added. 

Andrews is well-known for his heavy-handed response to COVID-19, earning the title “Coronavirus Dictator” from the Washington Post. The premier was quick to pull the trigger on harsh lockdowns in response to low caseloads — sometimes as little as 22 COVID cases — keeping Victorian citizens under lockdown for a total of 262 days.   

In Andrews’ Victoria, an easing of restrictions meant that two individuals could meet outdoors for four hours — up from two — within 10 kilometers of their homes. This was in addition to the time allotted for exercise.