Top End Pride and the Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission have condemned a transphobic protest that occurred in Darwin on Friday morning.
The protest took place around 7:30am at a central intersection in Darwin’s CBD, where it’s understood a small group of protesters had gathered.
Witnesses later made formal complaints after the protesters reportedly waved anti-trans signs and used megaphones to amplify messages targeting trans folk.
The Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission later condemned the distressing protest, which reportedly was conducted without a city permit.
“The conduct caused significant distress to members of the community,” Commissioner Jeswynn Yogaratnam said in a statement.
Mr Yogaratnam said the protest also raised serious concerns under the NT Anti-Discrimination Act.
“Public acts that attempt to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or a group of people impact community safety,” he said.
“This type of conduct not only undermines the safety and dignity of transgender Territorians, it risks breaching the law.”
‘Repeated acts of transphobia’ condemned
Top End Pride chair Becky Tidman said her LGBTQIA+ organisation “loudly calls out” any “harmful and insulting” behaviour towards trans and gender diverse Territorians.
“Every Territorian, including our transgender community, deserves to go about their daily life free from harassment or confrontation,” she said.
“It’s incredibly frustrating and disheartening that in 2025 we’re still seeing repeated acts of transphobia.
“We are grateful to the community members who have lodged formal complaints. Your actions matter, and you have our full support.”
Tidman said Top End Pride is concerned that the NT government’s recent proposed changes to anti-discrimination laws were emboldening some people to “act out publicly in targeted, insulting, and damaging ways”.
“Top End Pride stands with our trans and gender-diverse communities. [We] call on the NT Government to create good legislation that ensures every Territorian is safe, respected and free to be themselves,” she said.
Earlier in the year, the Northern Territory capital celebrated 40 years of Darwin Pride, now known as Top End Pride.
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