Australia’s ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, spent around $20,000 on an LGBTQI+ Pride party held at his Washington DC residence last June, including flying in an Australian drag queen as DJ.
The cost of the lavish party at Mr Rudd’s official residence White Oaks was revealed in a freedom of information request to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade by Nine Newspapers.
According to FOI documents, a whopping $4,500 was spent on balloons, while $10,000 was squandered on catering.
The entertainment cost more than $5,000 and Australian drag queen Kitty Glitter received around $3,000 for performing, with Australian taxpayers paying for the performer’s domestic flights to Washington and other incidental expenses.
Another Washington drag queen, Crystal Edge, whose Instagram describes her as “DC’s resting bitch face,” also received around $600 for performing.
The guest list reportedly included senior diplomatic and media figures, as well as elected Democratic and Republican representatives from Congress and the Senate.
The decadent party took place just three months after the former Labor prime minister took up his post as Australia’s representative in Washington.
Kitty Glitter, described as “the most famous drag DJ in the world”, posted a photograph with Rudd on the artist’s Instagram last year.
Australia’s ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, poses with drag queen Kitty Glitter in June after the performer flew to Washington at taxpayers’ expense to DJ at a lavish Pride party.
Kitty Glitter was invited back to Mr Rudd’s ambassadorial residence for a second Pride party this year.
“It was a wonderful and very welcoming event. He (Mr Rudd) gave a very moving speech which affirmed that as the LGBTQI+ community in Australia, we are very lucky to have a government that loves, respects and supports us,” Glitter wrote in the caption.
Previously, Kitty Glitter posted the official letterhead from the Australian ambassador of the invitation they received to perform.
“I get so excited with every new request that comes in for me to DJ a special event, but sometimes I’m just blown away,” the drag queen wrote.
‘Just like the pride I felt when I was invited to play at Lady Gaga and Elton John’s parties, I was thrilled to receive a request from the Australian Embassy in Washington DC to play at their invitation-only “PRIDE” party at the Ambassador’s Residence this week!
‘I was supposed to go to Orlando on Thursday before my show at One Magical Weekend on Sunday, but when an Australian Embassy official tells you “You’re an Australian LGBTI cultural icon” while welcoming you to celebrate with them, you do your best to make it happen!
“It’s a great honor to be invited to be part of this unique (and very patriotic) opportunity in DC.”
On June 14 this year, Kitty Glitter posted a second photo posing with Mr Rudd and indicated that they had been asked to perform at another Pride party.
Kitty Glitter enthusiastically posted the invitation letterhead to DJ the party at Mr. Rudd’s official residence in White Oaks.
DC drag queen Crystal Edge (pictured centre) was also paid to perform at Mr Rudd’s Pride party last year.
“A fabulous night filled with pride at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC,” Glitter wrote.
“It is a great honor to be invited again this year.”
According to Glitter’s Instagram, the Sydney-based artist, who has been performing at the city’s gay and lesbian Mardi Gras for over 15 years, had already been to DC before the party taking part in the city’s Pride celebrations.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment.