Zoe Moffatt
Hume council has blamed “miscommunication” after cancelling and rebooking the 2022 NAIDOC Pride Winner’s speech at a council event due to concern about “backlash from conservative council members”.
Kitty Obsidian was approached by a Hume council worker on Instagram in January to speak at its International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Lesbophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) event in May.
After accepting the offer, Kitty was told council would have to cancel due to “concerns about backlash from our conservative council members and their supporters”.
“About a week after… the Posie Parker rally with the Nazis… I received another message [from the worker] being like ‘so sorry we actually can’t go ahead with the booking’,” Kitty said.
Kitty asked why and was told the council had concerns about backlash and that they previously had issues with neo-Nazis.
“So at some sort of previous event they’ve had some issues and they are now worried about backlash because of who I am as a performer and activist,” Kitty said.
“I said to them I am incredibly disappointed and upset and hurt.
“As an Aboriginal, queer, trans person [and] as a performer I don’t know why I would be considered inappropriate to speak on IDAHOBIT day.
“That’s quite literally what IDAHOBIT day is for.”
Hume council said it was an internal miscommunication and the team takes full responsibility.
The council said Kitty’s performance was cancelled prematurely due to concerns about issues of safety, given similar events in the country have caused disruption.
After publicly posting the messages cancelling her booking, Kitty was inundated with support.
“I had lots of people turn around and go ‘I’ve actually messaged … called … and emailed the council to ask why they think this is an appropriate response’,” Kitty said.
“As far as I’m concerned it’s that community backlash that meant my offer was put back on the table … I [don’t] believe there was a miscommunication.
“I replied [to the email]… that I would like them to clarify what exactly it was that was miscommunicated and misunderstood.
“They are refusing to tell me what the miscommunication was in writing, they only want to do it either in-person or over the phone.
“I refuse to, I want everything in writing.”
Council chief executive Sheena Frost said council apologises and fully acknowledges its mistakes.
“We sincerely apologise for the stress this has caused not only Kitty, but also members and allies of the LGBTIQA+ and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities,” Ms Frost said.
“Officers have reached out to Kitty – fully acknowledging our internal mistakes – and welcome Kitty to join us on Wednesday, May 17.”
