Premium Content:

Man who vandalised 'Saint George Michael' mural found guilty

A man who vandalised an Erskineville mural that depicted singer George Michael as a saint has been found guilty by a Sydney judge of malicious damage.

- Advertisement -

Ben Gittany, who painted out the work by artist Scott Marsh with black paint, appeared in a Sydney Court on Friday. Gittany’s damage of the mural occurred following the postal survey into marriage equality.

The mural was widely criticsed by a Facebook group called ‘Christian Lies Matter’ and when Gittany was filmed destroying the artwork he said it was because it offended him on religious grounds. At the time a petition supporting his actions attracted 34,000 signatures.

Magistrate Carolyn Huntsman however had no time for Gittany’s excuse of religious beliefs and declared him guilty of malicious damage. The magistrate said his actions had caused a great deal of hurt to the LGBTIQ community and he needed to recognise that Australia was a pluralist society. Gittany will be sentenced in September.

Police are now investigating a series of death threats made against the magistrate on the Christian Lives Matter Facebook pages.

OIP Staff


 

Latest

Malaysian LGBTIQA+ sexual health forum called off after death threats

Pressure to call off the event comes as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim looks to sure up support from Islamic groups.

Actor Jussie Smollett ends hoax crime legal dramas with $60,000 donation

Smollett says the court have declared he did not commit the crime he's accused of.

Ryan Phillippe reflects on his breakout gay role in soap ‘One Life to Live’

Actor Ryan Phillippe has reflected on his breakout role...

Newsletter

Don't miss

Malaysian LGBTIQA+ sexual health forum called off after death threats

Pressure to call off the event comes as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim looks to sure up support from Islamic groups.

Actor Jussie Smollett ends hoax crime legal dramas with $60,000 donation

Smollett says the court have declared he did not commit the crime he's accused of.

Ryan Phillippe reflects on his breakout gay role in soap ‘One Life to Live’

Actor Ryan Phillippe has reflected on his breakout role...

ILGA World release data on laws affecting global LGBTI communities

International human rights organisation ILGA World has released new data shining a light on laws impacting LGBTI communities around the world.

Malaysian LGBTIQA+ sexual health forum called off after death threats

Pressure to call off the event comes as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim looks to sure up support from Islamic groups.

Actor Jussie Smollett ends hoax crime legal dramas with $60,000 donation

Smollett says the court have declared he did not commit the crime he's accused of.

Ryan Phillippe reflects on his breakout gay role in soap ‘One Life to Live’

Actor Ryan Phillippe has reflected on his breakout role playing a gay teenager in the soap opera One Life to Live. Phillippe was just...