Tasmanian Councillor Sign Defaced With Racist & Homophobic Slurs

A Tasmanian councillor’s campaign sign has been graffitied with both the “f–” and “n—-” words, as well as crude illustrations of genitalia. These racist and homophobic slurs have been spotted across two posters for the incumbent councillor, Paul Terrett, who is running for mayor of the Northern Midlands council. 

Equality Tasmania has condemned the anti-gay graffiti in the state’s north.

“The anti-gay graffiti against Cr Terrett is a reminder that hate didn’t disappear with marriage equality,” said Equality Tasmania spokesperson Rodney Croome. “This kind of graffiti will discourage LGBTQA+ people from standing for public office which will be a loss for the whole community.

“I urge community leaders to speak out against this attack to send a message hate is no longer acceptable. I also urge Northern Midlands Council to develop an LGBTIQA+ inclusion plan along similar lines to other Tasmanian councils.”

The defaced sign was reported to police, who are simultaneously investigating several incidents of graffiti across Tasmania’s North Midlands which occurred overnight from August 15 to August 16. 

Homophobic Slurs & Attacks Part Of Growing National Trend

Despite recent events, Tasmania is widely considered one of Australia’s most pro-LGBTQ+ states, pioneering the country’s now-national “Rainbow Ready” tourism accreditation, as well as being the first to offer financial redress to individuals impacted by laws that once criminalised homosexuality.

While Tasmania remains committed to LGBTQ+ protection and activism, this recent incident of homophobic graffiti is not isolated to the state, but rather follows a growing trend across Australia. Just last month, Melbourne’s LGBTQ+ venues The Laird and Eagle Leather were also subject to homophobic graffiti.

This surge in vandalism is also accompanied by a national rise in LGBTQ+ hate-related violence, most notably in NSW and Victoria. A recent Victorian parliamentary inquiry has linked the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ violence to the so-called “manosphere”, alongside racism and other harmful trends in public and political discourse.