Kirin J Callinan appeared on The Project last night to discuss his ARIAs flashing incident. If, somehow, you didn’t hear about it, Callinan lifted his kilt on the ARIAs red carpet last November, exposing his penis to reporters and photographers. The stunt was widely debated on social media, and Callinan was dropped from Laneway Festival without comment shortly afterwards. Flashing constitutes sexual assault under New South Wales law, and Callinan was charged with wilful and obscene exposure in a public place, to which he pled guilty. He was given a 12-month good behaviour bond.
In the characteristically soft Project interview, Callinan admits that he regrets the stunt, but goes on to say that he thought the flashing incident itself was “good fun.” He also says that the fallout was “heartbreaking,” suggesting that he flashed because “nakedness is a part of [his] work.” Callinan also discussed the backlash he received from the arts and queer communities, saying it was upsetting because he’s “given a lot” to them.
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