WorldPride Mural Angers Sydneysiders

In Australia, someone “took matters into their own hands” and painted over a provocative “kink and BDSM-inspired” WorldPride mural in Sydney’s CBD, following calls from locals to take it down. 

 

The York Street wall painting by YCK Laneways featured a “furry” man in leather-bondage with a teddy bear head, lying on a couch with a pride flag and beer can. 

 

It was supposedly created to promote the consortium of local shops in nearby streets, but some Sydneysiders have since labelled it as “disgusting”, “sick” and “extremely inappropriate” for children. 

 

“Where the hell do we draw the line here?” one critic questioned. “This is extremely inappropriate (especially for children seeing this) to say the least. I don’t care how much time, effort or money went into making this mural. I don’t see pride and acceptance here, it’s grooming”. 

 

Another added: “Absolutely disgusting that you think this is okay to have in a public space where children walk by. Nothing to do with pride either. How embarrassing and shameful”. 

 

Among the comments from angered locals on a video of the mural being created was calls to remove the painting with one mum going an extra step further suggesting someone should “paint over” it. 

 

“CALLOUT TO ALL THE MEN!!!!! Go to Wynyard and paint over this filth!!!!”, she exhorted. 

 

And someone did just that. 

 

In a video posted to TikTok, the mural – which some said shared similarities with a recent Balenciaga fashion house scandal linking adult sex to children – was captured covered in paint. 

 

White paint appeared to be splashed over the top of the bear’s face while black paint covered the leather bondage on its body. The words “leave the kids alone” were also scrawled on the side. 

 

Police were notified of the defacement on February 22, 2023. 

 

Meanwhile, the City of Sydney said the piece was installed on a privately owned wall as an advertising billboard. The spokesperson said any concerns about the content of advertisements should be directed to the Advertising Standards Bureau. 

 

Sky News host Chris Kenny said: “Some group comes along and commissions a World Pride mural like this, right in the middle of the city, mixing up sado masochism, gay pride, gimp suits, and kids teddie bears in one very public location. I mean, hardly surprising, is it? A provocative mural, provoked a response”. 

 

The video of the painting’s aftermath, was largely applauded online with many commenters posting thumbs up and clapping emojis. 

 

“Not all heroes wear capes”, one comment on the post read. 

 

“Love it!!! I saw a pic earlier of a dad walking his daughter across the street and she’s holding a teddy bear. So happy they did the right thing!” another commented. 

 

And a third said: “I was waiting for this to be done. Well done!!!!!!”