A prominent First Nations drag queen has sparked heated debate after he was involved in a ‘provocative’ stunt at the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Kamilario and Dhughutti person Wendell French – who goes by the moniker of Felicia Foxx – took in the annual event on Saturday as more than 180 floats and 10,000 participants paraded down Sydney’s Oxford Street.
Covered in traditional war paint and wearing a red cloth over their groin and red leather thigh-high boots, Foxx posed for a series of photos prior to the event.
In one photo, Foxx held a spear held to the chest of another performer leaning against a tree dressed in a manner appearing to resemble Jesus on the cross.
The images, shared online by Foxx and others, have since sparked public outcry among Christian groups, First Nations people and free-speech advocates online.
‘Does this not fall under hate speech?’ Christian podcaster Charlie Bakhos captioned the controversial photo.
‘Mocking of Christianity as well as mocking Indigenous people themselves. This also trying to divide the country shouldn’t be acceptable and millions are going to want answers?
‘Where are our leaders in this country, and why is this allowed? Hate shouldn’t be accepted against anyone.’
Indigenous drag queen Felicia Foxx sparked controversy with the above role-play at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras on Saturday afternoon
Felicia Foxx donned war-paint style body paint and thigh-high red boots
Mr Bakhos previously denied organising an anti-LGBTQIA+ protest on the final evening of Sydney WorldPride in 2023 after a group of men walked through Newtown chanting the Lord’s and Hail Mary prayers.
Cumberland Council councillor and former mayor Steve Christou echoed similar sentiments as he called for an end for funding to the iconic festival which celebrated its 47th year in 2025.
‘It is disgraceful that people’s religion is being openly mocked with an individual dressed like an Aboriginal stripper pretending to spear Jesus,’ he wrote.
‘Any other religion this would be considered a hate crime. No Religion deserves to be mocked.
‘Why is Government taxpayer money funding these festivals’.
One man posted on X: ‘Would like to see what happens if he decided to spear Mohammed.’
Another commentator sparked a mixed reaction as he called for event organisers to ‘defund this parade’.
‘I’m a culturally insensitive bigot if I don’t want to be browbeaten by constant ‘Welcome to Country’ bulls**t, but it’s totally acceptable for a gay Aboriginal, wearing warpaint and thigh-high ‘f**k me’ boots to act out spearing Jesus Christ at Mardi Gras?’ he wrote.
Another performer wearing biblical clothing also appeared in the contentious photo
More than 10,000 participants took part in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras on Saturday
One man replied : ‘So your free speech is sacred, but when someone exercises theirs in a way you don’t like, it’s suddenly a problem?’
‘Funny how ‘free speech absolutists’ become selective speech absolutists when it’s about their own beliefs.’
The original poster responded: ‘There is a separate argument to be had about tax payers funding obscenity, but you aren’t ready for that.’
A torrent of criticism also flooded Foxx’s own Facebook page.
‘This sickens me. You should be ashamed of yourself! How many of our old Christian leaders fought for our basic human rights and were strong Aboriginal Christian leaders?’ one woman wrote.
Another added: ‘As an Aboriginal Christian, this sickens me.
‘If you’re a blackfella and you’re gay (or) trans, then okay. But if you’re (going to) be a part of cultural events taking place then you respect the lore. Simple as that,’ another wrote on the page.
The backlash prompted other Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ activists to jump to Foxx’s defence.
First Nations author and director of Indigenous press Magabala Books Bebe Oliver reshared an essay by another advocate which began ‘not (going to) lie, it’s pretty upsetting seeing Felicia Foxx being criticised’.
‘It is drenched in homophobia and transphobia, transmisogny. It breaks my heart and I’ve been crying about people’s responses. As a Black Queer showing up as their authentic selves for Mardi Gras, it should be celebrated that they are showing us what is possible for us…’
Backlash sparked other commentators to defend Felicia Foxx’s stunt and attire at the parade
Mr Oliver added his own thoughts to the statement.
‘Speak against Felicia and her expression and embodiment of self, and use culture and lore as your argument, and I will remove you from my circle regardless of who you are,’ he wrote.
‘If in your book Felicia is unable to be whole, then in the same text neither am I.
‘Keep your misguided silo views to yourself and let (people) be exactly who they are.’
Foxx, who has previously appeared on the ABC talking about their experience as an Indigenous drag queen was unavailable for comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia on Monday night.
They did, however, take to social media to share other responses in the wake of the furore.
‘Love to all the LGBTQ mob.
‘It’s terrible seeing Black Fullas use culture as a way to dismiss and erase our Queer family. Cut that sh** out!’ it read.
‘Queer mob have always had a place in community, stop letting these colonial ideals corrupt your spirit and your thinking. (Foxx) looks deadly, putting their culture and identity on full display for the world to see.’
Another read: ‘Seeing so many use culture and lore as a reason to be straight-up homophobic – I promise you, my elders don’t give a sh** that I’m queer, they love that I’m able to be myself, especially because they know what it’s like to feel shame for something you can’t change about your identity.’
