Peak LGBTIQA+ Advocate Urges Legal Action Over Perth Hate Flyers
The State Government of Western Australia is facing mounting pressure to enact sexual vilification laws following the discovery of a series of disturbing queerphobic flyers distributed across Perth's CBD and surrounding suburbs. These flyers, which have been placed in dozens of letterboxes in areas including Victoria Park, West Perth, Highgate, and Maylands for more than a year, feature photographs of various members of the local LGBTIQA+ community.
According to reports, the flyers propagate harmful stereotypes, falsely accusing individuals of being paedophiles and poisoning people, with one specifically alleging that a person uses dating apps to target drug users with a chemical referred to as 'perfume'. Another flyer makes unfounded claims about human trafficking linked to a Taiwanese crime syndicate, using derogatory language about physical attributes.
Community Leaders Decry Hate Speech and Safety Risks
Misty Farquhar, chief executive of Rainbow Futures WA, the peak LGBTQIA+ advisory body in the state, has condemned the flyers as a clear form of hate speech. They emphasized that the materials target people solely based on their sexuality, potentially outing them to their communities in deceptive and dangerous ways. Farquhar stated, "A lot of the flyers are accusing people of being criminals in sexual ways... accusing them of being paedophiles or other kinds of sexual predators when they are based on nothing."
A resident of Maylands, who chose to remain anonymous due to safety fears, described initial disbelief turning to anger and alarm upon receiving a flyer. The 38-year-old expressed concern for the targeted individual's well-being and the broader community's safety, noting a rise in similar incidents. "I worry that these flyers might just seem petty to some, because beyond humiliating specific victims, they have the potential to inflict real damage on a wider scale," they said.
Legal Gaps and Government Response
While WA Police confirmed no charges have been filed in connection with the flyers, Dr. Farquhar highlighted a significant legal void. Recent federal hate speech laws criminalize promotion or incitement of racial or religious hatred but do not cover sexual orientation or gender identity. "We only have anti-vilification laws on the basis of race, but no other kind of identity," they explained, adding that if the flyers targeted race, convictions could be possible, but current laws offer no such protection for LGBTIQA+ individuals.
The WA Government is currently reviewing its Equal Opportunity Act, with plans to prohibit vilification based on religion, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Attorney-General Tony Buti expressed being "appalled" by the flyers' content and assured that new legislation would be introduced soon. He mentioned that various Criminal Code offences, such as distributing intimate images, could apply, and the government is considering recommendations to expand anti-vilification provisions.
Dr. Farquhar urged swift action, citing increasing feelings of unsafety within the LGBTIQA+ community and intersections with First Nations groups. "There is just this brashness around hate at the moment, and it makes us really scared," they said, calling for the government to expedite updates to hate crime laws to enable convictions for such incidents.
