Gay man saved from homophobic attack by trio of drag queens raising money for their damaged wigs and nails
A gay man who was attacked by the homophobe but saved by a trio of drag queen “angels” has set up a fundraising page to replace their damaged nails and wigs.
Ivan Flinn, from New Zealand, was the victim of a homophobic attack in Sydney.
Flinn was out one evening when a group of men approached him and began to call him a “faggot” and “queer c*nt”.
Speaking to news.com.au, Flinn explained that he told the men to not “use the word faggot especially not on Oxford St” where they were stood.
“There were heaps of homophobic slurs… all the slurs you can possibly imagine,” he added.
The men began to attack Flinn, ultimately dislocating his jaw and ripping his clothes from his body.
Flinn explained that when the attack was happening he thought he was going to die.
However, he was saved by a group of unexpected heroes.
“I really thought I was going to die – I was praying for a hero and I got three angels,” he said.
Drag queens Coco Jumbo, Ivy League and Vybe had just finished performing close by to the attack and came to Flinn’s rescue when they saw what was happening.
“After the punch I was stunned, but the next thing I knew Ivy went in and was scrapping with the guy who punched me,” the victim explained.
He added that the queen fought for him while she was still in full drag, including heels.
“They’re in the middle of the road, cars swerving around them, tooting, and I saw the guy rip her wig off.
“They were bashing each other and she’s still wearing her high heels.”
Ivy League, real name Luke Karakia, explained that he had been bullied for his sexuality when he was younger and that he was not prepared to let the attack happen.
“Growing up gay, I’ve been picked on and bullied and there comes a time when you fight back and you don’t care if you’ll get hurt or what happens to your wig.”
“Those boys sh*t themselves, they weren’t ready for some drag queens on top of them,” Karakia added.
The attackers called the three queens “freaks”, to which Karakia said: “‘You want to pick on little guys, you’ll need to fight the big freak. I’m a man underneath all of this, so let’s go.’”
Coco Jumbo performer Luke Waqa added: “A guy pushed Ivy so I picked him up and threw him into the gutter.
“I don’t think they knew what they were getting themselves into. I used to play rugby league. Plus, I have an older brother.
“Don’t mess with gay people – let alone two men dressed as women,” added Waqa. “Silly boys.”
Karakia added that the attackers put up a weak fight in the end.
“These big burly guys couldn’t even throw a punch, all they could do was pull hair and run.
“I may be gay, but I’m a man – and if you’ll hit me, I’ll hit you back.”
Flinn added that he truly believed he was going to die and felt blessed that the queens had protected them.
“I really thought I was going to die that night if he had kept punching me,” he said. “The drag queens fought my fight for me, they are my heroes.”
Since the attack, Flinn has put his mind on trying to thank the queens by fundraising money to replace their nails and wigs that were damaged in the attack.
So far he has raised $6,615 AUS, despite only setting out to raise $1000.
