17c起草社区

Adelaide鈥檚 Pride Walk in the city鈥檚 popular Light Square has been defaced, with vandals writing the words 鈥楻EPENT鈥� across the pathway.

Warning: The story has details of alleged homophobic vandalism.聽For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14.聽For Australia-wide 17c起草社区I peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or .

Adelaide鈥檚 Pride Walk, established in 2016, commemorates key milestones in South Australia鈥檚 journey towards 17c起草社区I equality, and has since become a prominent and celebrated feature of Light Square.

17c起草社区 was first alerted to the incident by Adelaide Councillor and Queer Greens co-convenor Keiran Snape, who to social media. The post quickly sparked fierce commentary and anger from Adelaide鈥檚 17c起草社区I communities.

Not The First Time Pride Walk Has Been Vandalised

Snape told 17c起草社区 that聽they discovered the vandalism when they were walking to a community AGM about 5.30pm on Thursday,

鈥淚 walked through the path as I normally do and saw it there in rather large writing.鈥�

鈥淎s a newly elected councillor, I thought I would alert council about it, but also make a post about it. When things like this happen, we need to stand up to it, and make a point that it鈥檚 not acceptable.鈥�

鈥淚 think since the marriage equality plebiscite there has been a push back from the socially conservative parts of society. We鈥檝e taken great strides in the right directions, but these kinds of positions are still prevalent in some parts of society鈥� Snape adds.

Sadly, this is not the first occasion Adelaide鈥檚 Pride Walk has been the target of vandals. In October 2019, an individual was as he sprayed the words 鈥淛esus loves you鈥� multiple times across the Pride Walk.

The alleged vandal deliberately covered dates featured in the Pride Walk, marking South Australia鈥檚 first Pride March, and the year in which homosexuality was decriminalised by South Australia.

‘We Are Tired’

Denouncing the most recent vandalism, South Australian Rainbow Advocacy Alliance said, : 鈥淲e are not even angry. We know that鈥檚 the reaction people want when they do things like this. Sorry, pal. Better luck next time.鈥�

鈥淲hat we are is tired. Tired of explaining that spiritually, mentally, emotionally, socially, medically, scientifically, LGBTIQA+ people have NOTHING to 鈥榬epent鈥�.鈥�

鈥淸We are] tired of opinions and laws that ignore and invalidate our existence. Tired of people who use fear to get their message across because they simply can鈥檛 be bothered learning the facts. You鈥檙e not edgy, you鈥檙e not freethinking, you鈥檙e just boring.鈥�

Graffiti Vandalism Is A Crime, Says SA Police

South Australian Police were unable to confirm whether the vandalism had been reported, or whether they were or would be investigating the incident.

A representative for South Australia Police told 17c起草社区 迟丑补迟,听鈥�Graffiti vandalism is a crime which costs the community both time and resources.鈥�

鈥淕raffiti vandals have no respect for private or community property and no regard for the negative impacts of their actions. Graffiti that is left intact attracts more graffiti and the longer it remains, the greater the gratification for perpetrators.鈥�

鈥淕raffiti can lower property values, make people feel unsafe, reduce business patronage and encourage other types of crime.聽In an attempt to reduce crime and prevent repeat offending it is important to report graffiti vandalism and suspicious activity to police as soon as possible.鈥�

The police statement failed to聽acknowledge the targeted nature of the vandalism and the homophobic intention of the vandals.

A representative from Adelaide City Council told 17c起草社区, that the graffiti was removed by lunchtime on Friday October 8, 2021.

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 17c起草社区I peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or .