He’s the ‘internet supervillain’ who speaks out against gay rights, calls Donald Trump his ‘daddy’, wants to get rid of the burka and is accused of condoning paedophilia.
But despite being banned from Twitter over his views, controversial alt-right activist Milo Yiannopolous seems to have struck a chord with Australians.
Outside of the United States the former Breitbart journalist’s biggest supporter base is believed to be in Australia – which explains why he’s soon set to head Down Under.
Just days after appearing at UC Berkeley, the free speech battleground of the U.S, Yiannopolous has announced his spreading his controversy causing to Australia with his ‘Troll Academy Tour’.
Milo Yiannopolous is an opponent of gay rights, calls Donald Trump his ‘daddy’, wants to get rid of the burka and is accused of condoning paedophilia
The 32-year-old former Breitbart journalist is bringing his speaking tour to Australia, a country where he has a huge supporter base
‘I can’t wait to bring my Troll Academy Tour to Australia and to meet all my Australian fans and make some new friends,’ he said.
‘I’m big down under — which just shows Australians have great taste.’
But despite his claims about making ‘friends’, if his previous public appearances are anything to go by that will be a first.
From opposing gay rights – despite being homosexual – transgender issues and also the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement, Yiannopolous’ views are often divisive.
Holding up a ‘Feminism is Cancer’ sign at UC Berkeley last week, he appeared for 30 minutes before an entourage of security whisked him away before trouble broke out.
Earlier this year he stood down as Tech Editor at Brietbart after the audio surfaced of his comments about sexual relationships between teenage boys and men.
‘There are certainly people who are capable of giving consent at a younger age. I certainly consider myself to be one of them, people who were sexually active younger… (this) particularly happens in the gay world,’ Yiannopolous said.
Australia has found itself in the midst of huge controversy in recent weeks with much debate over the same-sex marriage postal vote
While likely to face a hostile response from protestors when he arrives, his Australian tour organisers Penthouse magazine have defended their decision to support him.
Having made a return to the political-based alternative journalism on which it began in recent years, the magazine’s publisher Damien Costas told Daily Mail Australia the speaking tour was important for free speech.
‘Australia’s the only country where we’ve got it right in terms of free speech… and who better to speak than Milo?’ Mr Costas said.
‘He doesn’t like extremism of any sort whether it’s Islamic extremism or extreme feminism, whatever. No ideology should be beyond scrutiny and no idea above debate.’
Yiannopolous will appear in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast from December 1. For more details of the tour visit www.milolive.com.au