Brisbane drag queen violently assaulted
A 19-year-old Kallangur聽man has been formally charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm following an attack on a聽Brisbane drag queen in the clubbing district of Fortitude Valley in Brisbane on Monday morning.
He remains in police custody following an appearance at Brisbane Magistrate鈥檚 Court on February 4 and聽will face court again later this month.
Thom Hjorth, aka Alexei Paige (pictured), was left with multiple facial injuries following the assault whilst waiting in line at a McDonald’s restaurant.
The drag queen has been a popular mainstay and host of the Sunday night Fluffy parties held at the Family nightclub in the Valley. Following work this week, Hjorth walked to the Brunswick St Mall on Monday morning and decided to stop by McDonald鈥檚.
He told the聽Star Observer聽that a man became uncomfortable with his appearance in drag while he was talking with McDonald鈥檚 staff. Despite Hjorth trying to defuse the situation, the man allegedly punched him in the face before running out.
Hjorth was then given cold packs by McDonald’s staff. When police arrived at the scene,聽Hjorth informed them that he would be pressing charges.
The full extent of his injuries聽include a busted lip, bloodied nose and an inner lip/mouth injury that will require surgery to remove a portion of skin that was left detached.
Like many LGBTI community members in Brisbane, experiencing varying levels of homophobic abuse in Fortitude Valley is not new to Hjorth.
鈥淚’ve previously stated that I don’t normally walk around by myself in drag anyway but ill definitely make sure a few mates are with me, better to be safe than sorry,” he said.
鈥淚n a town filled with nightclubs and bars of all types there sadly will always be a scrap here and there.鈥�
Hjorth said he does not want the community to fear going out on the strip or to feel the need to hide away. He also vowed to continue working in the area, something he has done for over a decade.
He thanked the staff and the police for their help following the incident.
@GOLDEN GIRL
Right you are. Funny that someone downvoted you. Perhaps this person is hiding from themselves. Bigots are cowards. I’d like to see this guy act ‘tough and manly’ when he’s surrounded by a pack of men who rape him. Then the mcdonald’s coworkers can act like nothing happened just because of their gender. 今日吃瓜 flash, the DRAG is FEMALE when in uniform and deserves no less than ‘biological’ females.
BOO HOO to the haters, it’s NATURE.
What a graceful way to handle the encountered barbarism, Ms. Paige. Kudos!! This cowardly punk and his behavior is the exception rather than the rule these days. It takes a coward to raise a fist to a human being. A person that cannot value strength, poise, and courage does not possess these in any measure. There are crowds of others that know the value of these gifts, and they line the stage to see you turn the other sickeningly painted cheek.
This incident has served to make you even more fervently supported around the world. You have made a fan here! I will be proud to buy you the first drink when you happen through Colorado, Ms. Paige.