The family of a student who died by suicide after leading a protest against a drag queen event at a Brisbane library has remembered him as a "devoted and loving son and brother".
University of Queensland Liberal National club president Wilson Gavin died on Monday, a day after he was filmed confronting a drag queen who had been reading books to children at a library.
On Thursday, his family released a statement sharing their thoughts about the 21-year-old.
Wilson Gavin was involved in the drag queen protest with other students. Source: Facebook
"To everyone who knew our son and brother and shared their stories of who Wilson Gavin really was – we thank you," it read.
"To those who have described Wilson as 'a deeply troubled young man', including so-called family members – with all due respect – you never knew him.
Wilson Gavin appeared on Sky News in 2018 talking about the monarchy. Source: Sky News
"To anyone who is or was angry with Wilson – we know he regularly got the 'how' wrong and occasionally got the 'what' wrong. This made us angry with him too."
We know he regularly got the 'how' wrong and occasionally got the 'what' wrong. This made us angry with him too. Family of Wilson Gavin
The family offered "love and support" to the LGBTQI+ community and Rainbow Families Queensland, which organised the drag storytime event
And it said, "to young, politically motivated people of all persuasions – we implore you to seek kind and wise mentors who will guide you, and not use you or wash their hands of you when you no longer serve their purposes".
"We loved Wil for his compassion and sense of justice – just some of the many things he got right," the statement said.
"We admired Wil's drive to contribute, so often in ways, not many knew about – like serving at a soup kitchen every Saturday or the year he spent teaching kids in Mongolia. He would regularly give the last note in his wallet to a homeless person on the street.
"We remember him as a devoted and loving son and brother. We will love him, always and will be forever grateful he was part of our family."
The video of the group chanting "drag queens are not for kids" quickly went viral on Sunday and attracted sharp criticism on social media, much of it directed at Mr Gavin.
LGBTQI+ advocate Johnny Valkyrie was one of the hosts of the event. Source: Facebook
In the fallout of his death, Rainbow Families Queensland urged anyone distressed by debate about the protest to reach out for help.
"Wilson Gavin was known publicly to be an out, gay man. LGBTQ+ people are at a high risk of suicide and this is why we strongly advocate for the Safe Schools program, drag storytime, and other LGBTQ+ events, so that members of our community grow up strong and proud of who they are," the statement said.
"Stay safe everyone."
LGBTQI+ Australians seeking support with mental health can contact QLife on 1800 184 527 or visit qlife.org.au
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (up to age 25). More information about mental health is available at Beyond Blue.
