#Midsumma Westside

[qnewsau]

Victoria Family First Senate candidate targets family-friendly Midsumma drag event

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Victoria Family First Senate candidate targets family-friendly Midsumma drag event

Family First Victorian Senate candidate Bernie Finn has pledged to de-fund councils promoting family-friendly drag events.

“Victorian kids need protecting,” Finn said on Facebook,

“We will not hesitate to fight for them!”

Family First Victorian Senate candidate Bernie Finn has taken to social media to denounce “rainbow family-friendly” events.

Stating that “LGBTIQA+ drag queens are not for kids”.

He has pledged that, if elected, he will de-fund councils that promote such events to children.

Finn targeted a life drawing event as part of Midsumma and said it “raised concerns among parents and community members.”

The Midsumma Festival is Victoria’s premier festival of LGBTQIA+ art and culture with inclusive events.

Targeting of Midsumma event

Finn said if elected, he will “fight to withdraw Commonwealth grants from local councils that allocate public funds to promote LGBTIQA+ drag queen events.”

“This is to protect children from exposure to gender-fluid and sexualised role models, which are inappropriate,”

“Especially in public spaces such as beaches.”

The event in question was Drag Life Drawing Out West.

The sold-out event at Altona Beach saw LGBTQIA+ artists come together for a free afternoon of life drawing.

The “rainbow family-friendly” event captured the “beauty, humour and glamour of the drag model” on display.

Artist and event producer Matto Lucas told QNews that everyone involved had a great time.

“The beach was full of a cross-section of the community of all ages having a wonderful time.”

“And participants all drew performers who were fully clothed.”

“Everyone walking by had a joyous smile amazed by the glam and magic of the drawing session.

“People asked to have photos with the performers and went on with their day.

“I don’t give this kind of rhetoric from a Family First candidate a second thought,” Lucas said,

“They didn’t attend the event, nor contribute free, accessible events for the community.

“And that is what our community asked for, inclusive, accessible events to enjoy.”

The event was part of Midsumma Westside, a program celebrating the West’s local LGBTQIA+ communities.

Marking its 15th year, this partnership is between Hobsons Bay, Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Moonee Valley and Wyndham councils.

Other events in the program include a First Nations Showcase and the Queen of Icelandic Eurovision Hera Bjö.

As well as an unforgettable evening of celebration and community just gone with Park Lounge.

There are still plenty of fantastic events as part of Midsumma Westside for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies to enjoy.

Check out the program here.

Defending the rights of children?

Finn continued his outrage that this “rainbow family-friendly activity featured drag performers engaging with participants in a public setting”.

“Our children deserve to be nurtured in environments that respect their innocence, and promote clear, consistent values,”

“Using public money to fund events that blur these lines is irresponsible.

“If elected, Family First will ensure that councils prioritising such activities will no longer receive Commonwealth grants.”

“Family First believes that such events, even when labelled as ‘family-friendly’ introduce children to harmful concepts of gender fluidity and expose them to sexualised role models.”

Finn doesn’t account for children and families that enjoy safe, inclusive family-friendly events.

Former long-serving Liberal member, Finn joined Family First in 2023 as the lead Victorian Senate candidate.

“On social policy, Labor and Liberal have capitulated to LGBTIQA+ activists who are indoctrinating children in schools and public libraries.” Family First website says,

“I aim to take my passion for defending the rights of children, and protecting their innocence.”

Finn was expelled from the Liberal Party for his pro-life and pro-family views.

On Sunday, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan joined the 30th annual Midsumma Pride March.

Premier Allan delivered a powerful pledge to protect LGBTQIA+ folk from hate and discrimination.

“Even though it’s 2025, we’re seeing efforts not just to wind back the gains of equality that have been made over the past 30 years,”

“But worse, to continue to marginalise, continue to inflict hate and hurt on our LGBTIQA+ community.”

Finn reposted Allan’s pictures Frock Hudson and the Victorian Commissioner for LGBTQIA+ Communities Joe Ball.

Calling to vote Family First in the Werribee byelection this weekend.

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