Lyle Shelton has found a new target – and this time it is LGBTQI+ icon and Australia’s most famous drag performer Courtney Act.

Courtney Act recently steered her career to a new direction as the host of ABC’s One Plus One. Act also featured on ABC’s Little Kids, Big Talk. The RuPaul’s Drag Race star answered questions from children about gender. The video was posted on ABC Kid’s Community’s Facebook page, where it has racked up over 1.6 million views. 

Shelton Launches Petition

While viewers praised the video, one person was not happy. Shelton, who has been tapped by Christian Democratic Party founder Fred Nile, as his replacement in the NSW Parliament, used his social media platforms to attack the ABC for having Act on the show.

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Shelton has  been consistent in his attacks on the LGBTQI community – he led the campaign for the ‘No’ side in the national vote on marriage equality, has targetted  Drag Queen story time, Safe Schools program, the Rainbow path in a Sydney park and has even prayed for rain during the annual Mardi Gras parade.

Shelton launched a petition on his website to ask “the ABC to stop sexualising children and indoctrinating them into gender fluid ideology.” He added: “LGBTIQA+ drag queens are not for kids but the ABC is using them to indoctrinate little children.” The online petition has received around 730 signatures.

Shelton’s post invited ridicule from many social media users.

One Plus One

Shelton’s attacks aside, the overwhelming response to Act’s new show has been positive. One Plus One presents a series of in-depth conversations between Act and young Australians, who have impacted the world they live in, by striving for their own successful lives. It started off with a conversation with Lisa Origliasso, one half of The Australian pop duo The Veronicas.

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“Songwriting is a big part of the Veronicas which I think, 16 yeas ago, people who were pop artists writing their own music wasn’t as common and I remember. One of the defining feature of the Veronicas was you wrote your own music… songwriting technique and device is important for communication,” said Courtney, in response to Origliasso’s use of music for communication.

The show was enjoyable and Courtney did well as a host, despite her initial jitters about being part of ABC’s One Plus One. In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Act said that she was “very aware of the legacy (of the show” and that to was a “big and exciting responsibility”.

Later this mont, Act is set to reprise her role as 80s pop sensation Shazza in the West End production of Death Drop.

If you feel distressed reading the story, you can reach out to support services.

For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14

For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.

 

 

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