A 47-year-old man has been charged in relation to a series of disturbing flyers targeting members of Perth’s LGBTQIA+ community.
Content warning: this article discusses harassment, doxing, offensive material, and homophobia.
Western Australian Police confirmed detectives from the State Security Investigation Group had charged the man following an investigation into the distribution of leaflets containing alleged obscene material.
“Detectives from the State Security Investigation Group have charged a 47-year-old man as a result of their investigation into the distribution of leaflets containing alleged obscene material,” WA Police said.
According to police, around 40 reports were made between July 2024 and March 2026 about thousands of leaflets being distributed across the Perth metropolitan area.
“State Security Investigation Group and Perth Detectives initiated an investigation, culminating in the arrest of the accused,” police said.
“It will be alleged the distributed leaflets contained indecent commentary and images of adult men within the LGBTQI+ community.
“Some of the leaflets also contained alleged obscene images.”
Man due in court in July
On Wednesday, 29 April 2026, police executed a search warrant at a Gosnells residence, where electronic devices were seized.
A 47-year-old Gosnells man has since been charged with five counts of leaving in or upon any place an indecent or obscene article.
He is due to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court on 15 July 2026.
Police say the investigation is ongoing and have urged anyone with information about the matter, or any similar incidents, to contact Crime Stoppers at crimestopperswa.com.au or by calling 1800 333 000.
Flyers allegedly included victims’ names and addresses
The flyers were first reported by OUTinPerth and allegedly contained false and defamatory claims about people within Perth’s LGBTQIA+ community.
Some of the material reportedly used photographs taken from social media without consent.
People reported receiving the flyers in suburbs including Subiaco, West Leederville, Highgate, Mount Lawley, Maylands, Bayswater, and Victoria Park.
At the beginning of the year, some versions of the flyer reportedly included an image of an unidentified man alongside a second image depicting an intimate act.
Other versions allegedly included people’s images, names, and addresses.
One victim told OUTinPerth they initially reported the flyers to police earlier this year, but were advised there was little officers could do. After months of continued targeting and doxing, the victim later attended another police station, where the matter was progressed further.
Image: OutinPerth / Wikimedia Commons
Calls for stronger protections
Community groups and advocates have described the flyer campaign as deeply disturbing.
Vic Park Pride has urged anyone who receives the material to report it to police.
LGBTIQA+ rights group Just.Equal has described the campaign as a hate crime and called for improved police training, specialist liaison officers, and better recording of hate-motivated offences.
Advocates say the incidents also point to the need for long-promised law reform in Western Australia, including stronger protections against vilification and discrimination.
In February, Western Australia’s Attorney-General Tony Buti told The Sunday Times he was “appalled” by the content of the flyers and said the Government would introduce new Equal Opportunity legislation soon.
The flyer investigation comes amid wider concern about anti-LGBTIQA+ activity in Perth, following recent reports of anti-trans stickers appearing in Subiaco and surrounding areas.
