The legal saga between Lyle Shelton and two Brisbane drag performers has taken another turn, with the Supreme Court of Queensland dismissing Shelton’s recent challenge. Shelton, the national director of the Family First political party, has been embroiled in a dispute since 2026 over comments he made about drag performers Johnny Valkyrie and Dwayne Hill, known on stage as Queeny and Diamond.
The controversy began after a Drag Queen Story Time event organized by Rainbow Families Queensland in 2026. During this event, Valkyrie and Hill read the children’s book Love Makes a Family and supervised a family craft activity. Shelton’s social media posts following the event accused the performers of being “dangerous role models for children” and drew comparisons to controversial figures like Harvey Weinstein, Jeffrey Epstein, and Prince Andrew.
Legal Proceedings and Recent Developments
In 2026, the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) dismissed the performers’ unlawful vilification complaint against Shelton. However, Valkyrie and Hill appealed this decision, and in March of this year, the Queensland Civil and Administrative Appeal Tribunal (QCATA) found that the initial ruling contained legal and factual errors. Shelton then sought to challenge this finding in the Supreme Court of Queensland.
On Friday, a Supreme Court judge dismissed Shelton’s application, ruling that the QCATA decision under challenge was not yet final. The judge stated that any Supreme Court review must wait until the established appeal process is completed. In response to the ruling, Shelton posted a video on social media, acknowledging the loss but maintaining his stance. “We received a judgment that went against us today. We actually lost,” he said, adding that “Today was never going to be the end anyway, even if we had have won.”
Shelton’s Continued Criticism and LGBTI Legal Service’s Response
In his video, Shelton continued to criticize the vilification complaint, calling it “anti-free speech” and “strategic warfare.” He also reiterated his opposition to drag storytime events, describing them as promoting “radical gender fluid ideology” and serving as a “recruiting mechanism for your children.” The LGBTI Legal Servicewhich is supporting Valkyrie and Hill, has condemned Shelton’s posts as unlawful hate speech.
Emma BastableSenior Solicitor at the LGBTI Legal Service, welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, stating that it allows the matter to return to the tribunal without unnecessary delays and expenses. Ren ShikePresident of the community legal service, praised Valkyrie and Hill for their “bravery and tenacity” over the past six years and expressed pride in the legal team’s efforts to enforce their clients’ rights.
Looking Ahead
As the legal battle continues, both sides are preparing for the next steps in the tribunal process. The LGBTI Legal Service remains committed to supporting Valkyrie and Hill, while Shelton vows to persist in his fight against what he perceives as threats to free speech and traditional values. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for the ongoing debate over drag performances and their role in community events.
