Lane Cove ratepayers push back against council bid to grant funds for local drag shows
A northern Sydney council has come under fire from conservatives for its proposal to help fund popular drag queen shows during Pride Month, with opponents saying it is ‘inappropriate’ for the area.
A North Shore council’s plan to help fund shows featuring drag queens in pubs and clubs has sparked fierce backlash from conservatives in the area.
Lane Cove Council has asked for community feedback on a motion to provide hospitality venues grants to put on drag shows during Pride Month 2026.
Labor councillor Katie Little, who put forward the motion, said it was a way of showing support for the LGBTQIA+ community as well as an idea to attract customers to local small businesses.
But some ratepayers say the “adult entertainment” is not appropriate for what they describe as a “very family-orientated” community.
The spokesman for the group, Jacob Bicknell, said the cash should instead be put towards essential council services during the current cost of living crisis.
Ms Little’s motion, passed by the council in September, called for public feedback on a one-off grant scheme for drag shows, through the council’s Inclusive Communities Grants Program.
It would allow venues to apply for part of a total pot of $5000 set aside for the grants, to help pay for drag queen-related entertainment such as “drag queen bingo” and cafe cabaret shows.
Ms Little said it was a creative way to boost local business by increasing foot traffic and that it also aligned with the council’s Social Inclusion Strategy by showing support for Lane Cove’s LGBTQIA+ community during Pride Month.
Lane Cove already has a history of drag shows, with the The Alcott, a registered club, formerly hosting “Drag Bingo”.
“The money is already earmarked in the council budget for diversity and inclusion funding,” Ms Little said.
“We can use it as a fun way to help hospitality businesses in a cold, miserable time of year, when they absolutely need lots of people coming through the doors.
“It’s also a way of helping reach out to vulnerable people in the LGBTQIA+ community and show that they are welcome in Lane Cove.
“I’m disappointed that people are opposed. I can’t believe that people can be so awful.”
Some of those opposed to the grants delivered flyers into letterboxes and text messages into random mobile phones, urging ratepayers to use the survey to reject the motion.
Mr Bicknell, a volunteer leader in Lane Cove with the Australian Christian Lobby, said the money should be used to pay for council projects, such as its new sports centre, that were of wider public interest.
“Anyone that’s been to Lane Cove knows it’s a very, very family orientated area with young families probably doing it tough financially.
“I don’t think they expect to see something like that (in venues) at Lane Cove where families congregate. Most people would not consider it appropriate.
“Drag is an adult form of entertainment … in places were adults congregate, like in the city or Newtown.
“If private businesses want to spend their own money providing that sort of entertainment, that’s their prerogative.”
The Greens NSW parliamentary spokesperson on LGBTQIA+ issues, Upper House MP Amanda Cohn, said drag entertainment was “an art form, not a political project”.
“It only becomes politicised when there’s opposition to the inclusion of LGBTQIA community groups in cultural activities, hidden behind concerns for a cost-of-living crisis,” Dr Cohn said.
“Children and young people benefit from an inclusive and diverse community that celebrates art, culture and LGBTQIA people. It creates a safe space for our young people and protects their mental health.”
“I encourage locals to attend the next council meeting on December 11 in rainbow colours to support the grant program.”
The council will vote on the motion at its December meeting.
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Originally published as Lane Cove ratepayers push back against council bid to grant funds for local drag shows
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