Jules Thompson, Broken Ballerina founder, calls drag show ‘disgusting, vile’ in Mackay council candidate group

The founder of a domestic violence charity called a family-friendly drag show ‘absolutely vile’ in a council candidate’s Facebook group — but experts in youth mental health have hit back. What do you think? VOTE IN OUR POLL

Brats Carnival is a high-energy show for the whole family featuring circus superstars, hula hoops at top speed, acrobatics at alarming heights and cheeky clowning antics. Picture: Kevin Bull

A charity founder advocating for victims of domestic violence has slammed a family-friendly drag circus show as “absolutely vile”.

Broken Ballerina president Jules Thompson made the comment on a Facebook post about Briefs’ upcoming Brats Carnival show in Mackay, despite herself hosting a ball in the same month with a Pink versus Lady Gaga theme - Gaga being a global superstar known for being a drag icon and superfan.

The Facebook post, which has since been deleted, was shared in Jacko’s Team - Mackay First, a group moderated by 2024 mayoral candidate for Mackay Regional Council Steve ‘Jacko’ Jackson as well as his party team member who is running for councillor, former Dawson MP and ultra-conservative George Christensen.

Group member Ciaron Paterson, who was a Katter’s Australia Party candidate in the 2022 federal election, commented the show was an example of a local government “trick” to coerce children into embracing drag.

Brats Carnival is a high-energy show for the whole family featuring top notch circus superstars, hula hoops at top speed, acrobatics at alarming heights and cheeky clowning antics. Picture: Kevin Bull

“I think we should all rally outside as people walk in and show what we all think of this and to let them know to leave our kids alone,” Mr Paterson wrote.

Others commented the Brats Carnival was sexualised child-grooming and “absolutely abhorrent” with Bradley Jackson, Jacko’s brother, writing it should be for adults’ eyes only.

Mackay region residents, including the founder of a charity campaigning against domestic violence, criticising a family-friendly circus show with drag performers, posted inside a group run by 2024 mayoral candidate for Mackay Regional Council, Steve 'Jacko' Jackson, who refused to condemn the comments. Pictures: Facebook

Jacko has refused to condemn the comments with his campaign spokesman telling this publication the group was an open platform and only Mr Jackson’s personal comments could be attributed to him.

“I’ve got no issue with a drag queen doing a show but, as a parent and grandparent, I do have an issue with it being a show for kids as young as four,” Mr Jackson said.

“I’m not sure why council has allowed this.”

Brats Carnival is a high-energy show with a drag element recommended for people aged four years and up. Picture: Kevin Bull

Professor Ashleigh Lin said sexuality and gender-diverse youth already often faced negative experiences at home with comments like Ms Thompson’s perpetuating stigma lending to LGBTQA+ children learning to internalise their identities were wrong.

Dr Lin was a co-author of the Trans Pathway study, the largest ever conducted on the mental health of gender-diverse youth in Australia, which found four in five trans youth had self-harmed with one in two having attempted suicide.

“We already know that one of the most important factors, particularly for trans and gender-diverse kids is family support,” Dr Lin said, adding “scare mongering” and misinformation could influence parents of LGBTQA+ children to form detrimental views that can contribute to domestic violence.

The University of Western Australia researcher said the nation still had a “very negative attitude” festering under the surface which did nothing to help LGBTQA+ children develop into strong, mentally-healthy adults.

Broken Ballerina founder and president Jules Thompson.

This publication asked Ms Thompson whether she had met with members of the LGBTQA+ community and whether she believed her comments could cause harm but she declined to comment.

Ms Thompson is hosting a Broken Ballerina Ball in September with the theme: “Raise your glass: Pink vs Gaga tribute: The ultimate rock versus pop show”.

Gaga is often referred to as a drag queen and is a self-confessed megafan of Ru Paul’s Drag Race franchise, having guest-starred on Season 9.

Lady Gaga on RuPaul drag race wearing a design by Adelaide designer Perry Meek. Picture: RuPaul Drag Race

Briefs’ cofounder Mark Winmill said they had faced threats of picketers before “but they never showed up” and “keyboard warriors” were ignorant having not seen the show.

Mr Winmill said it was a sophisticated mix of highly-skilled circus, dance and acrobatic performances that were not afraid to “take the piss” in an Aussie larrikin manner.

Briefs cofounder Mark Winmill. Briefs is behind the family-friendly drag show titled Brats Carnival which is coming to Mackay in September, 2024. Picture: Contributed

He said the criticism ahead of their show at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre blew his mind.

Mr Winmill said the show was well-received in Britain and Sweden, pointing out drag was nothing new and just “paint for entertainment” with it all the rage in the 80s with glam rock and pop, and now with Adam Lambert in the 2000s.

MECC and Events executive manager Andrew Bobeldyk said Brats Carnival was a legitimate and well-respected children’s show that was “extremely well received” at the Cairns Children's Festival in 2022.

“The show is well regarded in the industry, having also won the Best Children’s Event Weekly Award at the 2016 Adelaide Fringe,’’ Mr Bobeldyk said.

He said promotional material on the MECC website ensured ticket holders were aware the show did include men in costumes.

“Our experienced MECC team reviewed the show in full to ensure it was suitable for the ages it was recommended for,” he said.

“The show is ideal for audiences above the age of four who enjoy wild circus skills, pumping music and amazing party tricks.”