Sydney has become the scene of a homophobic row on the eve of World Pride.
The Australian city is currently simmering with glitter, excitement, and anticipation as Sydney edges closer to Mardi Gras and World Pride joining forces for the first time in the southern hemisphere.
People from the LGBTQIA+ community are already descending on the city to celebrate love, sexuality and acceptance.
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However, a Kwik Kopy store seems determined to rain on their parade in favour of God.
The photocopy shop in Sydney’s CBD rejected a request to print posters for an official Pride Match roller derby because of their religious beliefs.
Kwik Kopy franchisee Wing Khong confirmed the refusal in an email to the group, revealing he would not help them on their World Pride adventures as it would offend his faith as a Christian.
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"We are into our 40th year of business and it has always been our aim to provide a consistent level of service and reliability," Khong told his jilted customers in an email, obtained by The Brag.
"I am a Christian and my faith requires me to obey what the Bible teaches. I hope you understand."
If someone can point out where Jesus declared it a sin to be fabulous while on wheels, we'd appreciate it.
And, while it definitely never mentions queer people on skates in the Bible, another big book does mention it.
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Australia's Sex Discrimination Act 1984, to be precise.
This shiny piece of federal legislation reveals that it is unlawful for a person or business to refuse goods or services to anyone in Australia on the grounds of 'the other person’s sex, sexual orientation'.
Well, this sounds awfully like an alleged case of someone contravening the good book (of Australian law), if that’s what the rules state.
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Roller Derby League skater Leo Bunch told The Daily Telegraph his team was appalled and shocked by the email rejection they had received over their posters.
"I’m still processing it. It’s 2023, I just walked through two train stations absolutely smothered in Pride flags," he said.
He revealed the offending content that sparked the rejected was 'some logos for the different teams' taking part in the roller derby tournament.
Bunch added: "There’s nothing particularly inflammatory, nothing sexual about them. I’m in shock."
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Kwong was approached by The Daily Telegraph about his stance on queer people on wheels, but he refused to discuss the matter further.
"I have no comment to make other than to say we need to respect one another in the view and position we take,” he said.
As long as his faith is respected, but not their sexualities or identities, apparently.
Although Kwong stood his ground, the big wigs at Kwik Kopy felt differently.
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Kwik Kopy Australia CEO Sonia Swabsky has offered complimentary printing of the flyers and also issued an apology for Kwong's actions.
"We are genuinely sorry for the recent experience Leo had at one of our centres," she said, as per The Brag.
Swabsky added she is in direct contact with the Sydney franchisee in order to straighten the anti-LGBTIQ+ issue out.
Or, ‘sorting’ it out might be a better choice of words here. Either way, roll on, World Pride Sydney.
Rachel Lang