PEOPLE are outraged over the public shaming of Queensland dad Damien Leeson, who was called “disgusting” for taking his seven-week-old baby into a parents’ room at a Mackay shopping centre on Sunday.

The Daily Mercury reports Mr Leeson was feeding his newborn daughter Harpah when a woman walked into the room in Caneland Central with her son and said “that’s disgusting to see a full-grown man in a parents’ room with a little girl” and that Mr Leeson was a “dirty old (expletive)”.

Members of the public have come out strongly in support of Mr Leeson, saying they can’t believe the new dad could be treated in such a way by another parent.

Amy Marks told The Daily Mercury today he should have been rewarded for his efforts and proud to be such an involved father.

“Good on him for actually giving a hand to his wife and not being afraid to touch a dirty nappy or help out with the feeding; most wives would kill for a husband like that,” she said.

“It’s called a parents’ room for a reason, it’s not a mum’s room, people need to wake up to themselves.

“I would have given him a pat on the back for being the only dad in there among so many women.”

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Father of two Jeremy Phillips said he had also encountered similar behaviour when taking his two sons to a variety of parents’ rooms in the past.

“It’s awful but unfortunately not uncommon,” Mr Phillips said.

“I often get strange looks as if I’ve walked into the wrong toilet or something. It’s not a nice feeling when you know you have every right to be there too.

“My brother was called a perve once for being in there as a woman tried to breastfeed. It’s not everyone saying it, but it shouldn’t happen at all.”

Joanne Barclay was another shocked parent who offered her support to Mr Leeson, saying the woman’s comments were “disgraceful” and didn’t represent the majority of females’ attitudes.

“Shame on her, just because he’s a man doesn’t mean he has poor intentions. He’s a proud dad who is obviously thrilled about his new baby girl,” Ms Barclay said.

“When I used to see men in there I’d always think what a great job they’re doing, and I know most mums would be jumping for joy if their partners offered to give them a break.

“I hope he knows that’s not how we (women) all feel and think and that it won’t stop him from going in there again.”