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Home / World

Liberal National Club president dies after protesting at Brisbane library

By Eliot Hastie
news.com.au·
13 Jan, 2020 06:17 AM3 mins to read

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Wilson Gavin in the video confronting a drag queen. Photo / Supplied

Wilson Gavin in the video confronting a drag queen. Photo / Supplied

A young man who was filmed protesting against a drag queen reading program in Brisbane has died after the controversial footage was shared.

Wilson Gavin, 21 — president of the University of Queensland Liberal National Club, which organised the protest — was found dead in the inner suburb of Chelmer this morning.

Queensland Police confirmed they were called to a situation involving a 21-year-old male at 7am, news.com.au reports.

Queensland Ambulance Service told news.com.au that they arrived at the scene at 7.07am with multiple crews, including a critical care paramedic.

Tributes have begun to appear online, with Queensland Liberal National party MP Dr Mark Robinson saying on Twitter he was "deeply saddened" to hear of Mr Gavin's death.

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As current State patron of the UQ LN Club, I’m deeply saddened to hear of the death of Wilson Gavin. Wilson & his friends took a principled stand to protect children from inappropriate sexualisation & gender fluid ideology. For that he was treated terribly. Wilson, RIP!

— Mark Robinson MP (@MarkRobinsonMP) January 13, 2020

Friend Drew Pavlou wrote on Facebook Mr Gavin was "a very decent and kind person that cared for others".

Wilson Gavin in the video confronting a drag queen. Photo / Supplied
Wilson Gavin in the video confronting a drag queen. Photo / Supplied

"He was hilarious and a riot to be around, his fame will always remain legendary," he wrote.

"He had his struggles and made mistakes, and it is a tragedy for us all that he ultimately succumbed to his suffering and pain."

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The news comes less than 24 hours after video footage showed Mr Gavin storming the Drag Queen Storytime event at Brisbane Square Library.

The footage from the event showed protesters, including Mr Gavin, chanting "drag queens are not for kids".

The event was organised by Rainbow Families Queensland, an organisation that celebrates diverse families.

The Veronicas' Jess Origliasso posted the footage to Instagram on Sunday night where the protesters received criticism for their actions.

Discover more

World

Drag queen hits back after ambush

12 Jan 11:39 PM
World

'Sheer glee and cruelty': The sad death of Wilson Gavin

14 Jan 05:30 AM

It emerged that the UQ Liberal National Club has been disaffiliated from the Liberal National Party in December last year but continued to operate.

Liberal National LNP MP Trevor Evans was one of many to criticise the group for their actions.

UQ's Liberal National Club said on its Facebook Page it was making "a stand to defend LNP values against a corrosive gender ideology".

In a subsequent post, the group said: "What people do behind the closed doors of a nightclub is their business, but this event is designed to indoctrinate and sexualise young children. Our kids deserve better than this!"

The LNP has sought to distance itself from the group, with a spokesman saying: "Late last year, the LNP state executive resolved to disaffiliate the UQ LNP club and asked the club to desist from using the party's name and colours."

WHERE TO GET HELP:

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If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.

OR IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE:

• 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)
• https://www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline
• YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633
• NEED TO TALK? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)
• KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757 or TEXT 4202

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