Sydney drag entertainer Tina Bikki says police should be doing more to beef up patrols on Oxford Street, after being verbally harassed by a group of men on the popular LGBTIQ precinct.
It is the third violent instance levelled against the community on the Darlinghurst street in April alone, just a month after World Pride wrapped up in the city.
Police increased their presence last weekend after concerns were raised by independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich about incidents of bullying and harassment being directed at members of the queer community on the strip.
Ms Bikki said they were taking a break at the front of the club on April 23, when they were approached by a group of men.
"I wanted to go out for a cigarette and I didn't even make it out the door before these guys started on me," they said.
Ms Bikki was told by security the group had been hanging around the entrance, despite requests to move on.
They tried to ignore the unprovoked verbal slurs being yelled at them, before the men threatened to bash and kill them.
A fellow performer stepped in to defend Ms Bikki before members of the public started to band together to defend the pair.
They said security "didn't do anything" and while police were called, no officers were dispatched and police from a passing car had to intervene.
"There was a massive group of people clearly arguing in the middle of the road ... [so] two police officers got out and separated it."
The group of men were moved to the other side of the road by officers, but Ms Bikki said none of their details were collected.
Ms Bikki said this is the second time they have endured an attack on Oxford Street while in drag, and last weekend's level of police patrols should continue.
NSW Police confirmed no arrests were made and no report was made of the incident on the night.
In the weeks since, Ms Bikki has received death threats after a video of the altercation was posted on Instagram.
"It's been pretty messed up for me at the moment," they said.
'Everyone deserves to feel safe'
Local police said they were "very pleased" with patron behaviour around the Surry Hills entertainment precinct last Saturday and Sunday.
"The crowds were generally well behaved and there were no major incidents," a NSW Police spokesperson said.
"Police will continue to work with the local licensed venues to ensure a safe and secure place for all."
Equality Australia has noticed a rise in cases like these in Sydney of late.
"When LGBTIQ+ people are visible, it is easier to target them," CEO Anna Brown told ABC News.
"It only takes one person or a small group being aggressive or violent to make it unsafe for LGBTIQ+ people to express themselves in public."
Ms Brown said that hate and violence is dangerous wherever it occurs, but can be insidious when it takes place in what is considered to be a safe space, like Oxford Street.
"When attacks happen in the few places which LGBTIQ+ people make their own, it reminds us that our safety is always conditional and needs to be negotiated," she said.
"Everyone deserves to feel safe, no matter where they are."
Two additional attacks in one week
It follows the assault of reality TV star David Subritzky, who alleged he had been called a slur and punched outside of a kebab store on the popular strip on April 17.
The Gold Coast man sustained a bloodied lip in the incident.
Police said the 27-year-old was treated on the scene by paramedics just after 3am after the assault, but that Subritzky had not yet provided them with a formal statement.
"NSW Police Force supports all victims of crimes to come forward and report," said a spokesperson in a statement.
The following weekend, officers from the Surry Hills Police Area Command were called to Oxford Street following reports of a fight between at least three males.
A gay couple were allegedly approached by a 21-year-old and 19-year-old man before security from a nearby licensed premise separated them on Sunday 23.
Officers arrested the two men and one half of the couple, but all three were released pending further inquiries.
The fourth man, an 18-year-old, was treated at the scene by paramedics for minor injuries.
NSW Police want to hear from the community
Mr Greenwich said he had spoken to police about the issue.
"Another reason why I'm doing this is to raise awareness and attention to the lived experience of LGBTI people in 2023 — it is not necessarily a safe and good place," he said on Monday.
Ms Bikki said they deserved to be safe going to work.
"I don't want to normalise being called slurs every time I'm literally just going to do my job, but that's the way it is," they said.
A police spokesperson said officers attached to the Surry Hills Police Area Command routinely conduct high-visibility patrols as part of ongoing efforts to target alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour.
NSW Police encouraged anyone who is a victim of crime to report incidents to police, and urge anyone with information about criminal activity to contact Surry Hills Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
