Transgender rights advocate and Neighbours star Georgie Stone condemns Adelaide hate preacher

Neighbours star Georgie Stone has condemned a series of homophobic pamphlets that have appeared in mailboxes around Adelaide.

The transgender rights advocate has joined forced with Transcend Australia, a support network for families of transgender children, and The Anti-Defamation Commission, Australia leading civil rights organisation, to make a change after a transgender teen was left traumatised upon reading the offensive material.

‘For many trans, gender diverse and non-binary young people, home is our safe space. To have that space compromised by extremist groups who aim to spread hate and misinformation is cruel and punitive,’ said Georgie.  

Georgie – who was awarded the Anti-Defamation Commission’s Making a Difference Award in 2016 – continued: ‘Home can be one of the only places where we feel protected and safe enough to be ourselves.

‘Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own homes, especially young people.’

Adelaide street preacher Kevin Bickle has been named as the man responsible behind the distribution of the hateful pamphlets.    

Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, and Dr Rachel Richardson: Chair of Transcend Australia and Rebekah Robertson OAM: Transcend Founder also issued a joint statement.    

‘It shocks the conscience that such virulently repulsive rhetoric, which makes vulnerable lives unsafe and is dangerous has invaded the homes of residents in Adelaide, trafficking in division and fear and exploiting the Holocaust to demonise the LGBTQI community. 

‘Imagine the intimidation a young person will feel after being confronted with such repulsive slurs. 

‘We are deeply concerned about any attack on the health and well-being of Trans, Gender Diverse, and Non-Binary young people or any campaign designed to belittle the care, family love and support they receive in their lives. 

We call upon the South Australian Government and its agencies to confront this matter and other forms of vilification at every turn with urgency and with vigour.   

‘This is an opportunity for the government to take a stand against homophobia, transphobia and antisemitism, to stand with marginalised communities and to say, “enough is enough”.’

Georgie, who first started puberty blockers at age 10, plays troubled teenager Mackenzie Hargreaves on the long-running Network 10 soap, Neighbours.

Speaking of her TV debut last year, the blonde expressed her hopes to speak out for all trans people who don’t have a voice, through her character.

‘I hope trans young people who have felt isolated before, who have lost hope, watch the show and know they’re being represented. I hope they feel seen,’ Georgie told The Sun Herald.

She went on to say she hopes people who have never met a trans person before, or those with misconceptions or unease, will watch and ‘see that we’re just people’.