Feast Festival GM suspended

The General Manager of Adelaide’s Feast Festival has been suspended on full pay just weeks before the LGBTI event is staged between October 22 and November 6.

Four board members have resigned in protest.

In its short statement on its move, the Feast board did not explain why it suspended GM Cassandra Liebeknecht. It said it was not in a position to comment “about any internal investigations that may be currently underway. For the record, no staff have resigned or been asked to leave the organisation.”

But Liebeknecht, who began in 2014, says it is because she is a heterosexual running a queer organisation and had suffered many “vicious” attacks. She said she’d been spat on and her children threatened.

Others who work at the organisation have posted that it has an inclusive climate.

Liebeknecht with Conchita Wurst

Liebeknecht told The Australian she will consider making a complaint about discrimination.

“I’ve sought legal advice. There’s been enough slander against me. I’m very concerned in regards to any further slander,” she said. “I’m concerned about my future and my family and what this might do to me.”

The Feast board emphasised, “The organisation rejects all forms of discrimination based on sexuality and will continue its 20 years of history – supporting and celebrating all sexualities and genders.”

That’s not the only drama surrounding Feast. As TMN reported earlier, the festival has taken over the lease of Raj House in Adelaide’s central Hyde Street, and announced plans to make the building a 12-month queer culture with its 20 rooms and performance space.

This was due to a $150,000 grant from the State Government and increased funding from the City of Adelaide. Raj House was previously leased by operators Tuxedo Cat as an Adelaide Fringe venue. Tuxedo Cat’s Creative Director Cassandra Tombs says that there was an informal agreement to share the premises, and which Feast has not acknowledged this. The festival received negative posts on social media.

Feast, which began in 1997, is now considered to be one of South Australia’s ten biggest festivals, and the third largest LGBTI in Australia. Last year it drew a record 48,200, beating the previous record set in 2014 with 44,390. Of attendees, 70% are local, 19% from interstate, 9% are regional and 2% from overseas.

The festival generates $9,867,400 value to South Australia. Each attendee has an average spend of $400. Last year the festival attracted 33 sponsors and over $400,000 of in-kind support.

This year, Dannii Minogue performs at its opening street party. See https://www.feast.org.au/program/festival-program/ for full program.