Update: Vile street signs call for ‘poofters’ to be kicked to death to cure AIDS
A highly offensive series of stickers promoting homophobic violence have been spotted in a busy commercial region of Melbourne.
Shared on Facebook by Melbourne resident Nick Henderson, the stickers read, ‘Cure Aids, Kick a Poofter to Death’, and were reportedly photographed on Chapel Street, South Yarra, a bustling part of Melbourne widely recognised for it’s openness and inclusiveness to the gay community.
The strip is also home to Poof Doof, one of Melbourne’s most popular gay venues.
A spokesperson from the City of Stonnington told Attitude magazine a call had been logged with council officers who would attend the Chapel St location to remove the stickers.
“Our Council supports and promotes diversity. We were recently re-accredited for the Rainbow Tick for the next three years, which means we’re formally accredited with demonstrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) inclusive service delivery and practice,” they said.
While it is unknown where the stickers originated from, and who produced them, users across social media have voiced their concerns.
“Unbelievable people think like that. So much hate,” writes one user.
“For a moment I thought I was looking at a picture from the 50s, unbelievable that ignorance and hate like this exists today,” said another.
“It’s even more sickening that someone actually went to the effort of having stickers made up.”
CEO of Living Positive Victoria Brent Allen has also issued a call to action over the stickers, reports MCV.
“I am writing in my capacity as the CEO of Living Positive Victoria to lodge a notification and complaint of vandals putting signage up along Chapel street which incites violence against those living with HIV and gay men,” he said.
“Living Positive Victoria shares the vision of the National Association of People with HIV Australia of a world where people living with HIV live their lives totheir full potential, in good health and free from discrimination.
“…I would request that authorities take the appropriate steps to remove these stickers and record this incident as a violent and threatening act against the GLBTIQ community and against people living with HIV.
“These sorts of cowardly acts affect the safety and securing of those most vulnerable in our community and undermine the efforts of a vast array of social and community services who work tirelessly towards a tolerant and accepting society.”
“Please advise of what actions are being taken to deal with this incident and remove the offending material. I would also like the matter noted in the record as yet another act of aggression and violence towards marginalised communities being gay men and people living with HIV.
“All members of our community deserve to feel safe and free from the fear of persecution and violence,” Allan wrote.
The Victoria Police also told MCV officers had attended the area but were unable to locate the stickers. “Police are working with the local council to identify whether any other stickers have been found and removed recently,” a spokesperson said.
“Police are doing what we can to identify the offender and urge any witnesses to come forward. We will be increasing patrols in the area and keeping a watchful eye for further stickers.
“Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au”
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