LGBTIQ+ community outrage after Darwin rainbow flag mural vandalised twice

Vandals have repeatedly attacked Darwin’s rainbow flag mural, with attempts to deface the artwork causing outrage. See the photos here. *WARNING: Image of offensive slurs.

The repeated destruction of a rainbow flag mural in Darwin has been labelled as “hate speech” by the Equality Minister.

In March, members of the Sex Worker Outreach Project came together with Darwin’s LGBTIQ+ community to paint a rainbow mural in Austin Lane.

In the past week the artwork has been attacked twice, first with blue paint and again on Friday with the vandals spraying “sick, dirty perverts” over the rainbow.

LGBTIQ+ community members are outraged after the Darwin rainbow flag mural was vandalised twice. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Within hours of the mural being defaced, Territorians rallied together to restore the mural to its former glory, on Saturday afternoon.

Equality Minister Lauren Moss condemned the attack, saying every Territorian had the “right to live free of discrimination”.

“Hate speech has absolutely no place in the Northern Territory or in any community,” Ms Moss said.

Equality Minister Lauren Moss condemned the attack, saying every Territorian had the “right to live free of discrimination”. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Queer Territorian Laura Lewis said they were “distressed” and “concerned” to see the artwork defaced once again.

“This was a very divisive move, in the face of something joyful,” Ms Lewis said.

“To have it defaced twice in the space of three days is very upsetting.”

The damaged mural. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“What it does do is instil a sense of fearfulness in town.”

Ms Lewis said they walked through Austin Lane to get to work each morning.

“What used to be a joyful trip has now become a threat,” they said.

“It’s saying ‘You’re not welcome here, you’re not wanted’. And I know that isn’t the case.”

A person helps repair the work. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ms Lewis said any attempt to deface the mural again would be quickly reversed.

“We’re just going to keep doing this, whatever it will take, we will continue to face hatred with joy and pride,” they said.

“That’s not going to stop.”

Laura Lewis took part in the repainting of the Austin Lane rainbow mural.

The Saturday repainting efforts repeated similar moves on Thursday, where the snap action to fix the artwork was led by Rainbow Territory with support from the Top End Pride, Babes Paint Darwin, and the Sex Worker Outreach Project.

The snap action was organised through a Darwin LGBTIQ+ Facebook group, after members noticed that the mural had been spray painted over.

Top End Pride Committee Member Jarrod Chakos attended on Thursday night, and said it was a “really good feeling” watching the community unite to restore the mural.

The Darwin rainbow flag mural has been repeatedly defaced.

“We had fun, we brought food, we brought snacks, anyone could paint, anyone could join,” he said.

“Everyone’s there to have a good time to get to know each other.”

Commissioned by the Sex Worker Outreach Project, the rainbow flag mural is a new addition to the CBD’s street art, painted in March this year.

Counter graffiti appeared on a mural in Austin Lane, Darwin, after a pro-LGBTQI+ and sex worker artwork was defaced by unknown vandals.

It features a red umbrella to signify the sex worker rights movement, while above it is a tribute to Sariah, a prominent activist who passed away.

Mr Chakos said while he felt the community in Darwin was accepting, pockets of homophobia and transphobia still remained.

The Darwin rainbow flag mural has been repeatedly defaced.

“I won’t hold my partner’s hand in public in the city because I’m worried about safety,” he said.

Advocates for LGBTIQ+ rights struck a win last November, when the Northern Territory government removed a clause in the Anti-Discrimination Act that allowed religious groups to discriminate against an individual on the basis of their sexuality.

“I do think we have a lovely diverse community. I think we have a community that wants to bring action, wants to make change,” Mr Chakos said.

Community members will be marching through Darwin’s CBD on June 24 to stand against anti-queer and anti-trans rhetoric, as part of Top End Pride.

Organisers for the event said the attack on the artwork was “a reminder of why Pride is more important now than ever”.

“Anti-queer, and particularly anti-trans, rhetoric seems to be gaining more traction, and we will not stand for it,” the group wrote in a Facebook post.

There were 218 complaints made to the NT Anti-Discrimination Commission in 2021-22, up 15 per cent compared to the previous year.

Allegations relating to discrimination based on a Territorian’s sex or sexuality also increased, from 64 reports from 59.

NT Police and Equality Minister Lauren Moss have been contacted for comment over the repeated vandalism of the mural.

Originally published as LGBTIQ+ community outrage after Darwin rainbow flag mural vandalised twice