Sydney Kickin’ Inn restaurant attacked over Mardi Gras collaboration with drag queen

Trolls launched a vicious attack on a popular Sydney restaurant after it announced a Mardi Gras collaboration with a drag queen.

Georgia Clark

2 min read

March 7, 2022 - 6:38PM

NSW

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A popular Sydney restaurant has been forced to defend their Mardi Gras collaboration with a drag queen after a league of right-wing trolls launched a vicious attack, labelling the move “disgusting.”

Kickin’ Inn last week announced a paid social media partnership with Sydney drag queen Carla from Bankstown to mark Mardi Gras, labelling them the ‘Kickin Inn Kween of Mardi Gras.’

The collaboration was part of a free drink promotion over Mardi Gras weekend which also saw $1 from every shrimp martini contributed to LGBTIQA+ charity Twenty 10.

Drag queen Carla from Bankstown has been trolled on social media.

Right-wing trolls attacked Kickin’ Inn’s Mardi Gras collaboration. Picture: Instagram

When Carla, also known as Ben James, posted about the collaboration on Instagram, an army of extremist trolls quickly pounced.

One person labelled the move as “disgusting,” another called it a “political stunt,” saying “there is nothing family friendly about confused adults that promote filth.”

“You guys just lost a few customers because of this post,” said another.

“Celebrate” what exactly? Do straight people get free wine Mon-Thurs? We are concerned to see this from a Christian company,” said another, despite the company claiming to have no religious affiliations.

Right-wing trolls attacked Kickin’ Inn’s Mardi Gras collaboration. Picture: Instagram

Carla was quick to respond to the backlash, posting a glamorous image of themself drinking cocktails, saying: “This is me, living my best life, my most authentic life, the life I’m born to live, not giving a single f*** about what you gronks say about me,” they said.

Kickin’ Inn also weighed in on the controversy, releasing a statement defending their decision: “At Kickin’ Inn celebrating equality is important for us 365 days of the year and this Mardi Gras weekend, in particular, we stand in solidarity with the LGBTIQA+ community,” they said.

“It has been disappointing to see a small number of people write some very unkind, untrue and un-Australian things about Carla and the LGBTIQA community.”

Speaking to Kitchen Confidential, Carla said they felt it was important to call out the trolls on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ community.

“It’s 2022 and I think people need to be held accountable for spreading that kind of hate around,” they said. “If you have something mean to say, it’s better not to say it at all.”

Having dealt with trolls in the past, they said they have learnt to not take criticism personally.

“I don’t really care what people think about me. I’m always gonna stick up for what is right. I’m always gonna be that voice for people who don’t have the courage to speak up for themselves.”