‘I almost got arrested’: Queer activist Deni Todorovic speaks out about Melbourne airport ordeal

An LGBTQI+ ambassador has detailed their dramatic “$100” ordeal at Melbourne airport, which they claim almost had them arrested.

Non-binary social media influencer Deni Todorovic has detailed the moment a baggage issue at Melbourne airport led to an encounter with Australian Federal Police (AFP), causing them to miss their initial flight to Sydney for Australian Fashion Week.

The 34-year-old, who goes by they/them pronouns, claims they were checking in their luggage to a Jetstar flight on Monday when the weight of one of their bags triggered an alleged verbal dispute with airline staff.

Todorovic, who was accompanied by their mother at the time, said their bag was an extra 10.5kg in weight which they said came with a surcharge of $100.

“I started yelling, yelling, yelling, yelling,” they told The Daily Telegraph after landing in Sydney the following day for Fashion Week’s Erik Yvon show.

“Two men approached us from the airport … We had a big argument over $100. I almost got arrested over $100 f***ing dollars.”

Deni Todorovic at Melbourne airport with federal police. Picture: Supplied / The Daily Telegraph

Todorovic’s mother and aunty accompanied them. Picture: Supplied / The Daily Telegraph

Todorovic and their mother were later photographed outside of the domestic terminal accompanied by AFP staff, with the model wearing a sky blue gown inspired by Sex in the City’s Carrie Bradshaw.

“I was sitting on a suitcase and then I said to mum, I should probably put some pants on because I will get more respect,” they said.

“They told me, ‘you have to leave, you are being violent’.”

The queer activist claimed the ordeal led to them missing their flight, prompting them to post an apology to the designers they didn’t get to see due to not attending Monday night’s show.

“I wasn’t in Sydney yesterday due to an incident I’m not legally allowed to discuss at present, but I have my mum and aunty as eyewitnesses to what happened,” they posted to their Instagram account @hellodarlingsmedia on Tuesday.

A Jetstar spokesperson said the airline “categorically denies” the customer’s claims they were subject to “homophobic behaviour” and missed their flight as a result, saying the customer “decided not to fly”.

“Our airport staff did everything they could to support the customer. When the customer decided not to fly, we supported that request,” the spokesperson said.

It’s understood other airport staff were involved in the incident, with the AFP approaching Todorovic in terminal three – which hosts Virgin airlines – opposed to Jetstar’s terminal four.

“A person was spoken to by AFP officers at Melbourne Airport, following a request for assistance from Jetstar,” an AFP spokesperson told news.com.au.

“No further action was required by attending AFP officers at the time.”

Todorovic has made headlines in the past. Picture: Caroline McCredie/Getty Images

The model last made headlines a few weeks ago when they rallied against labels and brands they previously worked with including Bonds and gin brand Tanqueray.

Prior to this, the model copped backlash for their statement “some women have penises” after responding to criticism regarding a photo featuring Todorovic in lime green Seafolly bikini bottoms.

Todorovic has since acknowledged they will not be “speaking” anymore while at Australian Fashion Week, “out of respect to the designers” and sponsors.

“This week shouldn’t be about me, a spectator. It should be about those who entertain and I am the one observing,” they said in an Instagram post.

“I will be speaking just through storytelling. Mostly that will be through my outfits.”

Todorovic uses “he/him, she/her and they/them” pronouns and has spoken previously about recently coming out as a member of the LGBTQI+ community.