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Carlotta: The Lockout Laws Have Left The Young LGBTQ Community 'Fighting For Acceptance'

The Queen of the Cross, on The Cross.
Carlotta, now in her 70s, said the laws have destroyed one of the best cities in the world.
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Carlotta, now in her 70s, said the laws have destroyed one of the best cities in the world.

Carlotta -- also known as the 'Queen of the Cross' -- has slammed Sydney's lockout laws as "ridiculous" and "ludicrous", claiming the legislation is not only destroying Sydney, but hurting the LGBTQ community.

One of the most famous transgender Australians, Carlotta said the laws -- which force establishments in Kings Cross and Sydney's CBD to close their doors earlier -- has impacted young entertainers and young LGBTQ Australians who party on Sydney's Oxford Street.

"It's affected the young ones who are fighting for their acceptance," Carlotta told The Huffington Post Australia.

"They've got the gay Mardi Gras, and yet [the state government] don't back them up by making that strip another famous Kings Cross.

Sydney's Mardis Gras celebrations are one of the biggest events on Oxford Street every year.
Brendon Thorne via Getty Images
Sydney's Mardis Gras celebrations are one of the biggest events on Oxford Street every year.

"Thank god for the few clubs that are still open there. They're hanging on by the skin of their teeth, fighting for young kids wanting to get into shows.

"Young entertainers have no venues to work in."

The entertainer and cabaret performer said the laws have destroyed The Cross too, however she argues life died on the notorious party strip two decades ago.

"Kings Cross hasn't been Kings Cross in 20 years, ever since The Bourbon closed," Carlotta told HuffPost Australia.

"There was a stage where that's where all the entertainers went after their jobs. That's where the nightlife was. The strip clubs were beautiful; they're sleazy now."

We love, we hate, we do everything deemed 'normal' in society but we don't get that acceptance. There's always been that uphill battle.Carlotta

As NSW Premier Mike Baird faces continued pressure to reverse the controversial laws, the LGBTQ community is still waiting for marriage equality. It's an issue Carlotta is, of course, passionate about with the performer hoping for a free vote in parliament.

"We love, we hate, we do everything deemed 'normal' in society but we don't get that acceptance. There's always been that uphill battle," the entertainer said.

Labelling Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull "a very big disappointment", Carlotta said it's important the community keeps fighting against social injustice.

The performer is one of 12 Australians opening up about the injustice that they have individually experienced, in law firm Maurice Blackburn's Fighting For Fair podcast.

Opening up about being arrested for wearing women's clothes (for the record, she argued the judge was wearing a wig and robe which was no different), Carlotta told HuffPost Australia young people should always be proud of who they are.

"We need someone in government to do something about the acceptance of gay marriage and equality for everyone. I think it would lift the bricks off a lot of young people's shoulders."

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