Student protesters who stormed a Brisbane children's event hosted by drag queens have been blasted for "distressing and terrifying" young attendees with "bigotry and division".
On Sunday, footage emerged on social media showing members of the University of Queensland's Liberal National Club (UQLNC) mobbing the Brisbane Square Library, where the Drag Storytime event was held.
The students began loudly chanting "drag queens are not for kids", leaving "librarians sobbing and people screaming for security". Different videos taken by other attendees also show the UQLNC members acting in a confrontational manner.
On Friday, the UQLNC also shared a strongly-worded post on Facebook, describing the storytelling event as "moral filth".
"Shame on the Brisbane City Council for supporting this event. What people do behind the closed doors of a nightclub is their business, but this event is designed to indoctrinate and sexualise young children," the group ranted.
"Why is this moral filth being paid for by the taxpayer?"
Hours after mobbing the library, the group released a second statement via Facebook, confirming they "took a stand to defend LNP values against a corrosive gender ideology". Their post responded to a statement by one of the drag queens, Jean Genie, who said the UQLNP "harassed and disrupted the event".
Jessica Origliasso, from the Australian pop duo The Veronicas, shared the footage to her social media alongside a furious message after a friend and her daughter attended the event.
"A screaming group calling themselves the UQ Young Libs stormed the event in a public library, causing chaos and distress to children and everybody there," Origliasso, 35, captioned the videos.
"I am heartbroken and furious. Our world - and especially Australia - is in need of love and healing, now more than ever. What they did today was add to the bigotry, division and trauma young children are left to face in today's society.
"Bless the two Queens who were there to bring joy to children and their families. What you share with our community is invaluable."
Origliasso also reposted comments from an unknown source, calling out the group for "deliberately distressing and terrifying children and their carers".
"You f***ing assholes turned a beautiful moment into something ugly."
The Liberal National Party of Queensland disaffiliated themselves from the university club late last year, with the LNP state executive requesting "the club to desist from using the party's name and colours".
Vicki Howard, a Liberal National Party councillor for the Brisbane City Council, told the Brisbane Times "the actions of this small group of narrow-minded individuals is appalling".
Howard confirmed that the event is presented by experienced, fully-trained entertainers with Blue Card registration, which all entertainers are required to hold if they are working with children.
Drag Storytime, which has been held a number of times in the past, is designed to promote "inclusion, tolerance and diversity in the local community", Howard said.
