Geelong's gay venue owner faces queer community backlash after Liberal preselection

Andy Pobjoy, an openly gay entrepreneur whose Piano Bar bills itself as "Geelong's home of inclusivity," secured Liberal preselection for the state electorate of Geelong. The announcement sparked a wave of criticism from the local LGBTQIA+ community, with Geelong Rainbow issuing a statement that called the choice "disappointing" and warned it seemed like a betrayal given his partnership with Liberal figures such as Bev McArthur, known for opposing drag-related policies and gay-conversion-therapy bans.

McArthur, the Liberal member for Western Victoria Region, has publicly challenged the state's Rainbow Toolkit and other queer-focused measures. Drag artist Goldie Cox echoed the sentiment, saying the decision undermines the safe-space reputation of venues like Piano Bar in regional towns. Pobjoy responded that the criticism is rooted in political labeling, arguing Liberal values of individual freedom align with queer rights and that real change requires working from within the party. He emphasized his intent to advocate for LGBTQIA+ issues despite party differences.