Over the last few years, young LGBTIQA+ Western Australians have been invited to come together and celebrate Queer Prom, an opportunity for young people to come together with community in a safe space and celebrate who they are.
What should have been a joyous occasion was marred by targeted attacks in 2025, with the Youth Pride Network’s (YPN) event smeared by online misinformation and harrassment campaigns – as well as direct emails and phone calls to the youth-led organisation.
While the event was designed with robust child safety protocols in place and delivered by trained LGBTIQA+ youth workers, the online attacks sought to undermine the legitimacy and safety of the event. Youth Pride Network has referred all relevant evidence to the WA Police Hate Crimes Unit.
Youth Pride Network Manager, Chloe Clements, says that for some attendees, events like Queer Prom are not just social opportunities, but critical lifelines.
“Spaces like Queer Prom exist because many LGBTIQA+ young people do not feel safe being themselves in everyday environments,” said Clements.
“When these spaces are targeted, it sends a message that young people’s safety is up for debate.”
YPN says the level of scrutiny directed at Queer Prom in 2025 reflects a broader pattern, where queer youth initiatives for ages 12–25 are disproportionately questioned and politicised, while other youth programs are not subjected to the same treatment.
“These double standards are not just frustrating – they are harmful,” Clements continued.
“They place additional strain on organisations working to protect young people and risk deterring vital support services from operating at all.”
YPN hopes the community can understand that undermining safe spaces does not improve child safety; it removes it.
“When safe spaces are attacked or shut down, young people lose access to trusted adults, peer support, and environments where they can safely be themselves. The impact is immediate and deeply felt.”
Local organisations lead Safety Is For Everyone campaign
In light of these escalating attacks on our communities, Youth Pride Network – alongside Rainbow Futures WA and Living Proud – have launched the Safety Is For Everyone campaign.
In the lead up to International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), these leading local LGBTIQA+ organisations are calling for urgent law reform and stronger protections for our communities – in lieu of “another rainbow cupcake”.
While morning teas celebrating diversity and inclusion are welcome and affirming, YPN and its collaborators want to see reforms to Equal Opportunity laws and explicit protections against vilification based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics.
The organisation says these meaningful actions will ensure young LGBTIQA+ Western Australians can be safe in all settings.
YPN and the campaign is urging the government, schools and community leaders to take a clear stand against hate and make safe, inclusive environments for all young people a reality.
The campaign is providing a template to help supporters write to their local MPs and advocate for change. You can also download the Media Pack to get behind the campaign as an individual or organisation.
“These protections are what allow safe spaces like Queer Prom to exist safely,” Clements said.
“Without them, hate and discrimination towards organisers can go unchecked. Every young person deserves to feel safe, not just in principle, but in practice.”
