Brad Cresswell-Lee, a newsreader for Melbourne’s queer community radio station JOY FM, has spoken out about a disturbing homophobic incident that occurred at JJ Holland Park in Kensington on 2 January.
Cresswell-Lee was in the park that evening when he overheard an older man shouting at two younger men:
“All you poofters need to get the f*** out of Kensington.”
Shocked by the slur, Cresswell-Lee stood up for the pair and began filming the man with his phone — a move that caused the situation to escalate. The man then threatened to call the police, and began approaching nearby families, falsely accusing Cresswell-Lee of trying to touch him inappropriately and filming him without consent.
“He’s put it to the police that I tried to touch him and I was filming him inappropriately,” Cresswell-Lee explained. “That’s where it’s dangerous… and we need to stand up to that, because we’re not going to be bullied into silence.”
He reported the incident to Melbourne North Police, who told him the man had already contacted them and admitted to making the homophobic remarks, but gave a different version of events.
Community Concerns and Rising Hate
Cresswell-Lee says he’s especially worried the man could target other queer people in the future.
“I want to protect my community where I can.”
After posting about the incident on Instagram, Cresswell-Lee hoped to connect with the two men who were initially targeted. Instead, his account was inundated with hate and threats.
“The comments are just vile, and some of them are threatening,” he said. “It’s getting pretty scary… but I need to stand my ground.”
In response, he’s planning a “Stand Up To Hate” picnic at the same park over the January long weekend to reclaim the space and foster community unity.
“Families can come together, queer people can come together and take up that space. We live in the area — and we’re not going anywhere.”
“It’s about having lunch together and coming together as a community.”
A Surge in Queer Hate Across Melbourne
Melbourne has experienced a growing wave of anti-LGBTQIA+ hate incidents over the past year. These include homophobic and antisemitic graffiti on Eagle Leather and The Laird, and a series of violent assaults where gay men were lured via dating app Grindr.
Joe Ball, the Victorian Commissioner for LGBTQIA+ Communities, says this incident is part of a wider issue.
“This culture of hate is growing, and we need to stop it at the roots,” Ball said.
“It’s all connected: violence, abuse, hate speech. We must stand up for drag storytime, for safe schools, and for respectful relationships programmes. These shape how the next generation treats us.”
