TRIGGER WARNING: This article discusses suicide.
A conservative student who spearheaded the controversial ‘drag queens are not for kids’ protest that went viral yesterday has died in a suspected suicide.
As Daily Mail reports, Wilson Gavin, the president of the University of Queensland’s Liberal National Club, was found dead in Brisbane’s south today.
A spokesperson for Queensland Police confirmed that a man died in a suicide at Chelmer Railway Station at 7 am.
Wilson Gavin was one of a group of students who attended a Drag Storytime event held at the Brisbane Square Library on Sunday afternoon in protest. A viral video showed protesters chanting over drag queen Diamond Good-Rim.
Drew Pavlou, a friend of Wilson, took to Facebook to remember him “he was at his core a very decent and kind person that cared for others,” he wrote. “I had the great privilege of seeing that side of him in life. He was hilarious and a riot to be around, his fame will always remain legendary.
“He had his struggles and made mistakes, and it is a tragedy for us all that he ultimately succumbed to his suffering and pain. Today is a reminder of all we must do to affirm to young LGBT Australians the intrinsic worth and value of their lives. You are loved and you are enough, please know this. We must build a world rid of this pain and suffering. I am still personally unsure of God, but today I’m praying for peace on this Earth.”
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1103875653279519&id=100009712845032
Some people have taken to Twitter to express their sorrow over the news, with one self-proclaimed “recovering Murdoch columnist” said: “Might be time to walk away from the keyboard for a bit (me included).”
We’ve all done things we’re not proud of. Wilson Gavin’s conduct yesterday was poor but he had his whole life ahead of him. Absolutely tragic.
— Jordan Mumford (@jmumford18) January 13, 2020
Sadly, I can confirm those reports are true. Wilson Gavin did suicide this morning. Terrible, terrible news. Nothing is worth that price.
— Paul Syvret (@PSyvret) January 13, 2020
The last word I’m going to say on Gavin Wilson.
When I read about cases like this, I feel sadness and an enormous sense of failure. It should not be possible for a young person to develop internalised homophobia anymore, but it is.
I feel so sorry for his family and loved ones
— James Newburrie (@DifficultNerd) January 13, 2020
If you or someone you know needs help there are a number of immediately contactable hotlines that you can call:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
- MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
- Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
- Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
- Headspace on 1800 650 890
- QLife on 1800 184 527
