Kirin J Callinan has called out fans and demanded they stop harassing Brisbane-based rapper, Miss Blanks.
Miss Blanks had a few things to say about his recent controversial behaviour – including him flashing at the ARIAs – and he since was removed from lineup for the upcoming Laneway Festival.
Taking to Instagram, Kirin called out the fans and said ‘there will be tolerance and respect’ for Miss Blanks.
‘There will be tolerance and respect’: ARIAs flasher Kirin J Callinan (seen) demands fans stop harassing rapper Miss Blanks after she complained about his controversial behaviour and he was booted from the Laneway Festival
‘Regardless o (sic) the noise, however, it does not sit well with me one puny (sic) pitiful bit that a fellow artist & clearly strong, trans woman of colour could now be shamed or take the blame, be defamed or suffer the same re (sic) my recent omission from a certain summertime festivus (sic), regardless o (sic) the role she may have played,’ Kirin wrote in part of a lengthy post on Tuesday, tagging Miss Blanks.
‘She is the exact sort of artist we should all support – bold, original, flamboyant, progressive & with somethin (sic) to say.’
‘Furthermore, it mortifies me to think that she could now be made to feel unwelcome in any way, shape or fabulous form – onstage, backstage or on her ig (sic) page, at any stage.’
Making headlines: Miss Blanks (seen) had a few things to say about his recent controversial behaviour and he since was removed from lineup for the upcoming Laneway Festival
‘So I’m saying so, demanding it now, there will be no harassment, there will be no D’s (sic) out 4 (sic) Miss B in 20 A~teen (sic). There will be tolerance and there will be respect.’
He then added that he’s disappointed he doesn’t get to perform at the festival, and told fans to be ‘kinder’ to themselves and each other.
News.com.au reports that Miss Blanks is the ambassador of Laneway’s safe spaces campaign.
Speaking out: He then added that he’s disappointed he doesn’t get to perform at the festival, and told fans to be ‘kinder’ to themselves and each other
Miss Blanks reportedly complained to festival organisers about Kirin.
Earlier this month, Miss Blanks opened up about why she believed Kirin was taken off the list entirely.
Speaking on Triple J’s Hack program, Miss Blanks said she had raised concerns previously about including Kirin, who made headlines when he exposed himself at the ARIAs, in a festival that promoted safe spaces.
‘This kind of behaviour isn’t okay, it shouldn’t be tolerated, and you shouldn’t be rewarded with a festival if you’re going to act like this. There hasn’t been any accountability process, there hasn’t been any apology, there hasn’t been any steps towards learning and unlearning, and there’s been no willingness to right wrongs,’ she argued.
But she divulged more on her Instagram account: ‘I believe in the importance of a process of accountability which is why I applaud the organisers of Laneway’s decision to remove Kirin J Callinan from the festival lineup,’ she said.
Opening up: ‘I believe in the importance of a process of accountability which is why I applaud the organisers of Laneway’s decision to remove Kirin J Callinan from the festival lineup,’ she said
‘His long and recent history of reckless and insensitive actions reinforces an entitlement which permits Kirin and others like him to dismiss valid issues, and normalises racism, ableism and sexual assault.
‘Amidst the ‘me too’ discussions, it’s important to see preventative actions as well as support systems. I feel good knowing that Laneway Festival are working hard with their artists, including myself, to create a more inclusive and safe space for its talent, staff and patrons,’ she said.
Junkee originally reported Kirin’s disappearance from the St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival lineup, which is hosted by Triple J.
Off the list: Junkee originally reported Kirin’s disappearance from the St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival lineup, which is hosted by Triple J
Now gone: Kirin’s name has been taken off the list of acts which will appear in Adelaide, Sydney, Fremantle, Brisbane, Singapore and Auckland later this month and in February
Kirin’s name has been taken off the list of acts which will appear in Adelaide, Sydney, Fremantle, Brisbane, Singapore and Auckland later this month and in February.
A new poster circulated on social media still includes acts The War On Drugs, Amy Shark and The Internet, but not Kirin.
He has briefly addressed the controversy on Instagram, writing: ‘To all the kind and inquisitive folk that’a bin reachin out re Laneway [sic] ~ I appreciate the concern and I’ll address this in time, you have my word. As it stands, I will no longer be performing at Laneway this year.’
Other acts are still included: A new poster circulated on social media still includes acts The War On Drugs, Amy Shark and The Internet playing at Laneway (pictured), but not Kirin