Family of Wilson Gavin, Young Liberal at centre of drag queen protest, pays tribute to ‘loving son and brother’

Family of Wilson Gavin, the 21-year-old student found dead hours after a protest against drag queens reading to kids, have broken their silence, paying tribute to the “devoted and loving” young man and slamming the LNP who “washed their hands” of him.

BREAKING their silence, the heartbroken family of Wilson Gavin, a 21-year-old university student who suicided after protesting against a drag queen reading event for children, has reached out to the LGBTIQA+ community.

Mr Gavin’s parents Michael and Bridget and his two sisters also addressed those who vented anger against him on social media and have taken aim at LNP politicians who “washed their hands” of him.

“To everyone who knew our son and brother and shared their stories of who Wilson Gavin really was – we thank you,” they said in a statement.

“To those who have described Wilson as ‘a deeply troubled young man’, including so-called family members – with all due respect – you never knew him.

“To anyone who is or was angry with Wilson – we know he regularly got the ‘how’ wrong and occasionally got the ‘what’ wrong. This made us angry with him too.

“To the LGBTIQA+ communities and Rainbow Families Queensland – we love and support you.”

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Wilson Gavin, 21, has been remembered as a loving son and brother who was compassionate. Picture: Supplied

Mr Gavin was president of the University of Queensland’s Liberal National Club and died at Chelmer on Monday morning, hours after video was posted online showing him confronting drag queens in a library event held by Brisbane City Council and Rainbow Families.

Openly gay, the former St Laurence’s College student also campaigned against same-sex marriage in 2017.

Following Sunday’s protest with other club members, Mr Gavin was the target of attacks on Twitter and Facebook.

“To those who are now regretting words said or typed in anger that may have contributed to another person’s suffering – we know and share your pain all too well,” the family said.

“To young, politically ­motivated people of all persuasions – we implore you to seek kind and wise mentors who will guide you, and not use you or wash their hands of you when you no longer serve their purposes.”

Wilson Gavin's family has paid tribute to the 21-year-old.

LNP leader Deb Frecklington has declined to comment on Mr Gavin’s passing or the library protest, but said her party had disendorsed the UQ LNP Club late last year.

The family said Wilson was a kind person who would “regularly give the last note in his wallet to a homeless person”.

“We loved Wil for his compassion and sense of justice – just some of the many things he got right. We respected the unwavering strength of his convictions and desire to make the world better. And we admired Wil’s drive to contribute, so often in ways not many knew about – like serving at a soup kitchen every Saturday or the year he spent teaching kids in Mongolia,” they said. “Wil worked tirelessly for causes without personal gain, gratitude, or in some cases, loyalty.

“We remember him as a ­devoted and loving son and brother. We will love him, always, and will be forever grateful he was part of our family.”

They also acknowledged police officers and emergency services workers who responded to Monday’s tragedy.

“To the police and emergency services personnel who have treated us with such dignity and compassion, and work with this type of trauma far too often – you have our deepest respect and gratitude,” they said.

The Courier-Mail understands that a private funeral is being planned.