Controversial religious leader Margaret Court has spoken about the ongoing criticism over her elevation to the Companion of the Order of Australia.

Speaking to Liam Bartlett in Perth radio station 6PR Reverend Court said people needed to realise that her most recent award for her champion tennis career, while claiming her previous appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia was solely recognising her community work.

“The AO I received was for community work, I think people thinking “Why am I getting another one?” but I never been honoured for my tennis and you know when I won the Grand Slam, that was a hard thing.” Reverend Court said.

Despite her claims to the contrary, the citation for Reverend Court 2007 award made mention of her tennis achievements, it reads; “For service to tennis as a player, as a mentor to junior female elite competitors and through professional development programs; and to the communities of Australia and Sri Lanka as the initiator of a range of pastoral care, social support and emergency accommodation projects.”

A few moments later in the interview Reverend Court spoke about her upbringing in the Christian faith and said the values she’d been taught had guided her through her life.

“I had traditional values and you keep them all through your life, you never change your biblical values, I was taught not to lie.” Reverend Court said.

Reverend Court said some of the comments attributed to her about “transgender’ were never said and have been misreported in the media.

“I was on a radio talkback show and somebody had phoned in and said something and I got blamed for saying it.” Reverend Court claimed.

It’s not the first time Reverend Court has tried to attribute the comments she made during an infamous radio interview in 2017 to someone else.  Speaking to Vision Radio Australia Reverend Court made a rambling statement linking transgender children and “the devil”.

In October 2020 she claimed to have never made the statement despite audio of the interview still being online.

Reverend Court told Liam Bartlett that she did not have anything against people who are gay or transgender, and many gay and transgender people received services from her charity and attended worship services at her church.

Reverend Court said her view remained that marriage could only be between a man and a woman and homosexuality was a choice.

“To me homosexuality is a choice, and I share my views on the Bible, but I have nothing against the people. Like everything we do in life we have free will – it’s a choice.” Reverend Court said.

“That’s a person’s choice, they have a right to live their life how they want to live, but I teach what God says about marriage, about family.”

Reverend Court said children in school should be taught traditional values such as the ten commandments and should not be told that they can choose to be a boy or a girl.

Challenging Reverend Court on her declaration that sexuality is a choice, Liam Bartlett asked Reverend Court if she could see that her statements were insensitive.

“We were born male or female, it says that in the Bible” Reverend Court responded. “God made man in his image and then he made us out of the dust of the earth and he breathed life into us, he made Adam and Eve, then he said go multiply the earth.” Reverend Court said.

The  religious leader said people make choices everyday from getting out of bed, to choosing to lie about things, and her biblical studies have taught her that what you think about will affect the direction of your life.

“We can say here’s a better way if you’re double-minded or not sure of which way to go.” Reverend Court said sharing that she was concerned that people were planting seeds in the minds of children in day care that lead then to believe they might not be a boy or a girl.”

OIP Staff

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Calls for PrideFEST to be moved away from the City of Perth

There have been calls for Perth’s annual Pride Festival to be relocated from the City of Perth following comments from newly instated Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas that have been labeled as “repugnant” and “bigoted”.

On his 6PR breakfast radio show on Wednesday morning Zempilas indicated gender was based on a person’s genitals and launched a radio competition appealing to a “woman who has a penis” to call in to the station for a chance to win a $100 voucher.

Paul Hunt, a former President of the organisation, has launched a petition calling for the upcoming Pride events in November to be relocated to neighbouring City of Vincent. Launching the petition Hunt said the city’s Lord Mayor had shown his “true colours” with his comments.

“Let’s move the City of Perth PrideFEST from its current home to the City of Vincent, a more progressive and stable part of Perth.” Hunt said in the petition’s description.

Pride WA say Lord Mayor’s comments were demeaning

Pride WA has responded to the statements from Zempilas saying they could only be described as “discriminatory, dismissive and demeaning towards the Trans and Intersex communities.”

“It is always disappointing when individuals express views and form firm opinions without first fully educating themselves on the issues. Often people do not understand that gender and sex are two different things. Sex is your physical appearance; it is biological and it is determined by your chromosomes.

“Gender is how you identify psychologically, whether you are feminine or masculine, it is how you feel. It is possible to appear one way and feel another and when someone says they are Transgender they are simply saying they feel differently to how they appear. It truly is not that confusing when you take the time to understand it.” Pride WA said.

Describing the comments from the Lord Mayor as “flippant” and “damaging”, Pride WA said the Lord Mayor had shown he was misinformed when it came to the issue of gender identity.

“Mental health issues are rampant in our Trans community because of these types of misinformed comments. In this day and age, we should be aware that life is not black and white. We should be embracing diversity and supporting each other. And Perth, seeking its place in the world as a modern, progressive cosmopolitan city, should be leading the way in doing so.”

The organisation said the upcoming PrideFEST in November would be a great opportunity for people to learn more about the LGBTIQ+ communites, highlighting that TransFolk WA are running event called Trans 101, describing it as a chance to “Get educated, witness first-hand the wonderfully diverse community we have and be supportive of your neighbours.”

Pride WA said they would be guided by their membership regarding the running of the upcoming festival but highlighted the successful relationship they have developed with the local government body over many years.

“Ultimately, Pride WA is a members’ run organisation and the management committee would need to consult with its members about any significant changes to the usual program. However, we note that the City of Perth, as a whole, has been a principal partner and supporter of Pride WA and the Pride Parade for many years.

“The Council is a large organisation who employ many people who identify as LGBTIQ+ and allies of our community, and in our dealings with them, demonstrate just how much they value diversity in their City. To hold the entire organisation accountable for the words of one individual, albeit their Lord Mayor, would be unjust, particularly given the organisation itself does not choose its mayor.” Pride WA said.

“Consideration must also be given to the long-standing relationship between Northbridge and the Perth Pride Parade. Northbridge has always been the spiritual home of the Perth Pride Parade. It is the one night of the year where Northbridge becomes a safe place. And there is also beauty in the ongoing support provided by local businesses, who offer water and rest stops to dancers and performers in the parade. It would be unfortunate to lose this connection and relationship because of the words of one individual.

Pride WA called on the City of Perth to ensure it’s leadership team had better knowledge of the LGBTIQ+ communites, offering to assist in addressing any knowledge gaps.

“Moving forward, the comments made on 6PR has identified a knowledge gap in the leadership of the City of Perth and Pride WA will be offering its assistance to educate these individuals on diversity and acceptance. We are hopeful that through collaboration and partnership, we can overcome these issues and improve things for the future.”

Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas offers new apology over comments

When OUTinPerth broke the story regarding the comments yesterday, Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said he and co-host Steve Mills had not intended to be offensive.

“If anyone was offended that was not our intention, and I would apologise.” Zempilas told OUTinPerth.

“I absolutely understand that it’s an individuals right to identify the way that they wish to.  I understand that one hundred per cent.” Zempilas said acknowledging that he was not completely familiar with the current laws in Western Australia, or moves to make it easier for transgender people to change their identity.

This morning as media reports about his comments spread across news outlets and social media Zempilas offered a more detailed apology. Addressing the issue at the top of his breakfast radio show Zempilas said he was sorry for his comments and regretted making them.

“I apologise for any hurt that I may have caused to anyone at all, and I understand that those comments were hurtful.” Zempilas said.

Zempilas said as a broadcaster he had failed in his responsibilities, made a mistake and was sorry for the statements he made.

“It’s part of my job as a broadcaster to be better than that, and to have a responsibility to the community to lead and to educate, and to inform. I didn’t do that yesterday, it wasn’t a great day, and I’ll be better today and ever day after this one as well.”

Co-host Steve Mills said the station had received a large amount of correspondence on the issue, and while some people had supported the statements made by Zempilas, the majority of the feedback was about the hosts having a lack of awareness.

“I’ve caused people significant duress, and that was not my intention, but what’s more disappointing is I understand is indeed how people live their lives and I am aware of that. I was aware of that yesterday, but it was radio banter gone wrong.” the Lord Mayor said.

Zempilas said if he wished he could take back his statements.

“If I had the opportunity to take it back I would. I can’t, but what I can do is explain that those comments don’t align with my values.” Zempilas said, sharing that his wife Amy had also not been impressed with his on-air statements yesterday.

After addressing the issue at the stop of the program Mills and Zempilas spoke about them again at the time they had originally had the discussion.

OIP Staff

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Warning: This article contains statements that some readers may find confronting.

Perth’s new Lord Mayor has shared his thoughts on trans, gender diverse and intersex bodies and identities, telling listeners of his radio show “If you’ve got a penis, mate, you’re a bloke. If you’ve got a vagina, you’re a woman.”

On the 6PR Breakfast program this morning Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas and his long standing co-host Steve Mills discussed the morning’s news and highlighted several reports that related to sexuality and gender.

Discussing a recent essay by model Emily Ratajkowski, which was originally published in Vogue, Zempilas voiced his thoughts on gender identity. In her essay Ratajkowski noted that when she tells friends that she is pregnant, often their first response is asking if she has a preference for her unborn child’s gender.

“We like to respond that we won’t know the gender until our child is 18 and that they’ll let us know then,” Ratajkowski said. “Everyone laughs at this. There is a truth to our line, though, one that hints at possibilities that are much more complex than whatever genitalia our child might be born with.”

Zempilas shared his thought on her non-binary approach to gender by laughing about her child facing some difficulties, making reference to access to public bathrooms and change rooms being based on genitals.

“How do you get through until you’re 18 by doing that? If the child’s got an ‘old fella’, that’s gonna make it a little difficult if that person’s trying to get into the ladies cubicles and the like. I mean, at school, I don’t know that they’re gonna be happy,” Zempilas said.

When Steve Mills pointed out that people can identify as different genders, the Lord Mayor said that was wrong.

“No you don’t. No. No. Wrong. Wrong.” Zempilas said. “If you’ve got a penis, mate, you’re a bloke. If you’ve got a vagina, you’re a woman. Game over.”

When Mills questioned the description being used by Zempilas his co-host hit back accusing him of being “softie, lefty” and “namby pamby”.

Mills said some people may not agree with Zempilas’ descriptions, to which Zempilas questioned if those people would be listening to 6PR.

Zempilas then launched a competition asking people to call in.

“Let’s try this. This’ll be good fun on 6PR.” Zempilas said. “If you’re listening to us this morning, you have a penis but you’re a woman, call us now… we’ve got a $100 Retravision voucher to give away.”

After applauding a listener named Penny who said, “I’m a woman and I’ve got a vagina. If you’re a man you’ve got a penis, and that’s the end of the matter,” Zempilas promised to keep replaying her comments on air until the end of his time on the station.

Mills asked Zempilas if he’d considered how he would treat people who disagreed with his views on gender in his new role as Lord Mayor.

“How will you handle that situation? How will you handle that?”

“Handle the penis?” Zempilas said, prompting laughter from others in the studio. “Well, I’ll tell them what Penny just said to me Steve. If you have a penis, you’re a man. If you have a vagina, you’re a woman.”

Also during the program Zempilas and Mills discussed the announcement that Sydney would be hosting the world’s first major LGBTIQ+ boxing tournament to which the Lord Mayor appeared to make disgruntled noises.

Audio of the exchange between the two presents appeared on social media later in the day with many people voicing their alarm at the Lord Mayor’s early morning comments.

Speaking to OUTinPerth, Zempilas offered an apology to those who found his comments and the competition offensive.

“If anyone was offended that was not our intention, and I would apologise.” Zempilas said.

“I absolutely understand that it’s an individuals right to identify the way that they wish to.  I understand that one hundred per cent.” Zempilas said acknowledging that he was not completely familiar with the current laws in Western Australia, or moves to make it easier for transgender people to change their identity.

The Lord Mayor said he was in favour of removing the red tape many people encounter.

“A person should be able to live their life the way they choose and we shouldn’t stand in their way, or make or things more difficult for them to do so.”

Zempilas told us he was looking forward to attending events at PrideFEST next month.

“The City of Perth are great supporters of Pride, over the years I have enjoyed going to Pride with my wife Amy in the past, and if the opportunity to attend events this year arises, I’ll be there by all means.”

While he may not have sounded enthused about the announcement of the World LGBTIQ+ Boxing event this morning, the Lord Mayor said the city should be looking to see how it could capitalise on events like World Pride which is coming to Sydney in 2024.

“Any time we can attract more people to Perth is a good time to attract more people to Perth. Perth is one of the best cities in the world, and if there’s a whole bunch of people making the trip to Australia from around the world, then as Lord Mayor of Perth I’m encouraging as many as possible to get across the city of Perth as well.”

TransFolk of WA, 6PR respond to comments

TransFolk of WA Chair Hunter Gurevich has responded to the audio, saying the comments are “repugnant, bigoted, narrow-minded, parochial and fundamentally deny contemporary science.”

“Further, it puts LGBTQIA+ people at increased risk of harm, when we are already a vulnerable group in society. It is especially disappointing when The City of Perth has long supported the LGBTQIA+ community of Perth. For Mr Zempilas to now betray not only the community, but our relationship with the city, is beyond inexcusable,” Gurevich continued.

“Perhaps The Honourable Mr Zempilas would consider consulting experts in the field before providing comment, as would befit a public figure. This is true not only for his comments on LGBTQIA+ people, but for a range of bigoted, ill-informed and ill-judged comments he has made on vulnerable groups. Real harm is done to his constituents by making these comments. And that has a real cost to the wider community.”

“No apology will be accepted until Mr Zempilas confronts the damage his comments can and have done.”

“We strongly recommend trans awareness training for the City of Perth before Mr Zempilas even considers attending Pride.”

A spokesperson for 6PR told OUTinPerth the station do not support Zempilas’ comments.

“We regularly provide training for our employees to ensure our broadcasters meet community standards and expectations,” the 6PR spokesperson said.

“Basil’s comments did not meet those expectations and it is appropriate he has apologised.”

Zempilas was sworn in as Perth’s new Lord Mayor just over a week ago. His contract with talkback radio station 6PR concludes before then end of the year, he is tipped to take on a new role with another radio station.

Alongside his position as Lord Mayor, Zempilas is also employed by SevenWest, publishers of The West Australian, where he has written a regular column. He is also a sports commentator on Channel 7.

Zempilas’ comments have elicited an outpouring of criticism on social media from LGBTQIA+ communities and allies, prompting the hashtag #notmymayor.

OUTinPerth contacted the City of Perth for comment. 

(28/10/20 6:38pm) This article was updated to include comments from TransFolk of WA and 6PR.

Graeme Watson

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Perth Inner City Youth Services (PICYS) have announced their fundraiser to raise funds for LGBTIQ homelessness has dramatically exceeded expectations and raised over $205,000 after Woodside Energy threw their support behind the program, and the state government added another $300,000.

The campaign to raise funds for PICYS was organised by former Pride WA President, journalist Paul van Lieshout Hunt. Appearing on radio station 6PR’s Perth Tonight With Chris Ilsley, van Lieshout Hunt shared that the success of the program was largely due to the support of Ilsley and listeners of his nighttime talkback program.

“We really did some good news this year and we really found it.” van Lieshout Hunt said.

“We didn’t just bring in ten grand, we also brought in a corporate sponsor, largely thanks to your listenership, your support, and the community’s support in getting behind us with this.”

“This Chris is largely due to yourself and to this radio station and the people of Perth who chipped in, hearing this message almost brings me to tears in some sense because there has been so much rallying of support behind this issue of LGBTI young people.”

The campaign has hoped to raise $10,000 via a GoFundMe campaign, tonight the organisers revealed they had attracted $5,000 through the site, but energy company Woodside had pledged $200,000 to the organisation after hearing about the appeal.

Prior to being promoted on 6PR a few months ago the campaign had only attracted around $1,000, but after 6PR showed their support for the issue of homeless youth PICYS now has over half a million dollars to really tackle the issue.

PICYS Executive Officer Andrew Hall said the additional funding would allow the organisation to tackle homelessness with a more ambitious plan than originally envisaged, and noted that around 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTI.

“Perth Inner City Youth Service…has an intentional focus where we focus on LGBTI young people, often because they haven’t got a supportive family at that point in time with the homelessness issue. One in every two young people that we work with identify as LGBTI, and one in every three with a trans or gender diversity aspect to that.” Hall said.

Hall shared that working with the LGBTI community has been central to their work since they were first founded. The PICYS leader said that within the organisation’s first year of operation it was knocked back from a commonwealth funding scheme because they employed a gay employee.

“The Commonwealth government decided that they wouldn’t fund that program because they had a gay employee. One of two youth workers who was helping kids get jobs back in 1983, and our agency which was incorporated in 1982 came out and said ‘that’s wrong’ and was a very strong advocate. Ever since then we’ve been world renowned for working with the LGBTI community. In 2006 we were a finalist in the Community Service Industry Awards for our LGBTI work, and in 2017 we were a finalist in the Youth Awards, and last year in 2019 (Health Minister) Roger Cook gave us the award for Mental Health Diversity.” Hall said.

Hall cited the landmark Transpathways research conducted by Perth’s Telethon’s Kids Institute that showed that 22 per cent of transgender and gender diverse youth had experienced homelessness and lacked a supportive family.

“They have 11.9 times the suicide ideation rates of other trans kids, not just other kids, other trans kids.” Hall said, highlighting the combination of dealing with gender incongruence and experiencing homelessness serious effected people’s mental health.

For Paul van Lieshout Hunt, hearing of a young man who kicked out of his home after his father discovered a dating app on his phone, lead him to set up the fundraising program and he is overjoyed that the final result will allow PICYS to achieve much more than originally anticipated. Hall shared that there had been an immediate increase in service delivery.

“We used to support up to 12 people young people in houses, in leases, and now currently right now with other partnerships that this money has enabled, we are currently in August housing 28 young people.” Hall said, noting that around 14 of those in their program identify as LGBTI.

OIP Staff, 

Update: 18-08-20 This article was updated to clarify the position of Pride WA regarding the fundraiser, while it was endorsed by the organsiation ,they were not involved in organising it. 

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SBS presenter Patrick Abboud is all ready for another Mardi Gras broadcast, this year will be his sixth year covering the event, having being part of the SBS commentary team since they began broadcasting the event.

Abboud said he sees the annual gay and lesbian parade as a huge sea of love as it works its way down Sydney’s Oxford Street.

“I love that the event itself is probably the only safe space for a lot of people who feel like they can’t be themselves in other parts of their lives, it’s just this huge sea of love that you drown in once a year, it’s such an incredible feeling!

“What I love most about it is that it creates this sense of belonging for people, it creates a sense of community, and it reminds people of how unique and beautiful our community is.” Abboud said.

Commentating on the parade is quite a challenge for the presenters, with hundreds of floats the team spend some time working out which floats will be featured, and seek out interesting stories to share during the broadcast. Abboud’s commitment is not just during the parade, but months of work before hand filming stories that will accompany the presentation.

“We try really hard to have a genuine sense of inclusivity and diversity and make sure we’re including all parts of the acronym.” Abboud said.

Having worked in Europe and the Middle East, Abboud has experienced a fair range of pride celebrations and parties around the world.

“I lived in Europe for a number of years and in Europe, and I’ve been lots of pubs and bars and parades. I was living in Berlin and remember going to my first Christopher Street parade, and it was great to be there as a reveller.

“Mardi Gras is so special because we have people from over the world to be here for it, it’s such a huge tourism attraction for Australia. It’s an event that gives you a great cross section of the community, plus all these people from around the world joining in.”

Abboud said the month long celebration that reaches its crescendo with parade and party transforms Sydney, with a series of events and activities.

This year Perth’s own Narelda Jacobs will be joining the commentary team. Aboud said he was especially excited to have the Channel Ten newsreader heading over to SBS for the special event.

“Having Narelda take part is a great way to represent WA in the event, and also the indigenous community.” Aboud said.

Representing the diversity of the queer community, and underrepresented minorities is something Aboud is very conscious of. “I’m from one of one of those communities as well as an Arab Australian… it’s about representation, there lots of people from those communities who have never seen themselves depicted on screen.”

The presenter said SBS is an incredible platform that allows us to tell stories about diversity, something that Aboud says he wouldn’t be able to do on other networks.

“There’s nowhere else I could do this, I couldn’t tell these kind stories anywhere else…it’s pretty powerful, it’s not just sparkles and glitter and hot men with their shirts off, there’s politics here, we’re bringing back the human rights and social justice charge.”

In the lead up to this years broadcast Abboud has been working on a series of stories with younger LGBTI achievers asking them who their heroes are in different fields.

“We don’t actually tell them, but we surprise them by taking them to meet their heroes.” Abboud reveals saying the experience of connecting different generations was incredibly rewarding.

Narelda Jacobs shared her excitement of heading to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras when she caught up with 6PR’s Breakfast show this morning.

Speaking to Steve Mills and Basil Zempilas said it was incredible that she would be joining another Western Australian Joel Creasey to be on the commentary team.

Narelda said when she got the call asking her to be part of the team she couldn’t believe it was happening, but was looking forward to being part of the global event.

“We’ll be fleshing out who the people are in the floats, it’s going to be an awesome job, because some of the quietest floats have the strongest message. They might not be the most entertaining to look at but its there messages that really bring home the ‘fearless’ message that the parade has this year.” Narelda Jacobs said.

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is being covered by SBS. A live stream of the parade will be available on SBS On Demand and the SBS Twitter account  and Facebook page on Saturday 2 March. SBS Arabic 24 will report live from the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade to Arabic-speaking audiences around Australia.

You can watch the SBS highlights of the parade coverage on Sunday March 3rd at 8.30pm.     

OIP Staff

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Christian Porter, the Minister for Social Services has defended the government’s $122 million expenditure on the marriage postal survey, arguing that democracy is expensive.

Speaking to Perth radio station 6PR, Porter told host Gareth Parker that the survey was the only way the government could find out what Australians really think about allowing same sex couples access to marriage.

Yesterday former Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke declared the decision to move forward with the costly process was the “worst economic decision ever made by any Australian Prime Minister.”

Porter highlighted that the 80 year old former Prime Minister had mistakenly referred to the current Prime Minister as Malcolm Fraser, rather than Malcolm Turnbull. Fraser was the Prime Minister Hawke himself succeeded in 1983.

The Minister said the former PM could be forgiven for getting confused about who the current Prime Minister is, given Hawke’s advancing years, but labeled his views absurd.

“That is an absurd comment.” Porter said, defending the expenditure.

“The reality is, that on a few select issues there is a need to try and get real evidence on what the Australian people think.”

The Minister said that while there had been polling on the issue, the survey would deliver the government conclusive evidence on what Australians really thought about the issue.

“Yeah, sure there’s been polls done, and they show a range of different things, but this will be utterly conclusive on a very personal and sometimes divisive issue, as to what Australians generally support and don’t support.”

Porter said he believed that when it came to deciding what to do about the marriage laws the expense was justified.

“The reality is that democracy is never a cheap business, but understanding what people think, particularly on an issue as important and foundational as this, if it costs $120 million, I think ultimately that’s money that is going to be well spent.

“It allows us to now something that really we don;t know at the moment.” Porter said.

Porter said the level of response to the survey showed that it was an issue that Australians held passionate views about. The Minister said all views on marriage had to be respected.

“This process allows us to understand what those views are, and where people land on it as a whole.”

Earlier this week the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated that 57% of Australian had already returned their survey forms. The result of the survey of the survey will be announced on 15 November.

OIP Staff

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Online betting agency Sportsbet have defended their decision to promote betting on the outcome of the marriage postal survey.

OUTinPerth readers have expressed their concern about the betting option which is being widely promoted across social media.

Alex Greenwich, co-chair of Australian Marriage Equality described the company’s promotion as a “whole new low”.

“To vote on the validity of some Australians’ relationships is bad enough, but to bet on them is a whole new low,” Sydney MP and prominent Yes figure Alex Greenwich told the ABC.

“I think Sportsbet, to be making money on this process, is deeply concerning,”Greenwich said suggesting that the company may want to consider donating their profits from the exercise to charity.

Appearing on Perth radio station 6PR a spokesperson for the company said a minority group was complaining about the company’s actions.

“For the last five years we’ve had markets up on ‘when will same-sex marriage be legalised?’, ‘will it be conscience vote?’ No one said ‘Boo’, but all of a sudden a minority group seems to be pretty upset that we’ve got the market up, I guess they weren’t watching for the last five years.” Christian Jantzen from Sportsbet said.

While the company is claiming that nobody has ever previously criticised them for betting of this nature, there was an article in The Daily Mail back in August, in 2015 they were criticised for taking bets on what Caitlin Jenner’s post-transition name would be, a similar article also appeared at SBS, and OUTinPerth previously published an editorial describing how insulting their press releases on the issue are.

Harvey Deegan, the fill-in host of Perth Live said his view was that the postal survey was something that was happening in Australia and nobody was being forced to take part in the betting process.

Jantzen said the betting on the postal survey fell under their ‘political'[ category and was a novelty bet.

“It’s considered a novelty bet, it’s pretty much for entertainment, it’s nothing too serious.”

Jantzen said that the company offers lots of bets on novelty issues, citing that the company even allows you to be on when interest rates might go up.

“That affects people’s loves and we don’t get any criticism about that, you can even bet on Sophie Monk – who’ll she’ll marry next. Who’s going to be the bloke to get her in The Bachelorette.”

The spokesman said that many bookmakers were offering odds on the outcome of the postal survey and they were united as an industry.

“I think we can stand together on this one and say ‘C’mon Australia, lighten up, this is purely a novelty bet, don’t take it too seriously!”

OIP Staff

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The Marriage Alliance says a campaign by businesses, including Airbnb and QANTAS, that uses rings as part of it’s campaign is a form of “subliminal bullying”.

Speaking to Gareth Parker on 6PR this morning York said the Until We Belong campaign was causing situations where people who supported traditional views of marriage were being targeted and pressured.

“What we’re seeing here is a form of subliminal bullying; so you better embrace this new idea of same sex marriage or else.” York said.

“This ring idea might seem okay at a superficial level, who wouldn’t want to wear a free piece of jewelry?” York said.

The spokesperson for the Marriage Alliance said that while employees were not being forced to wear the ring, as that would be against the law, many employees would be worried about the introduction of the jewelry.

“It comes with an ominous expectation, and that expectation goes against freedom of opinion and privacy. It sounds as if this plan has been introduced without proper consultation of employees, without proper consultation, or even approval, by board members, or shareholders, or customers.

“True diversity means people should feel free to have their own viewpoints. It should be that every worker is comfortable to not even have a view on the issue.”

York said employees who don’t wear the ring will potentially be exposing themselves to unwanted comments.

“People don’t need that pressure in their workplace.”

York said employers had a responsibility to protect their employees privacy while they were at work and this included their opinions on social matters.

“Freedom on conscience is one of the most basic human rights, and same-sex marriage is not a human right.” York said.

York said examples like the case against Tasmanian Archbishop Julian Porteous and the Coopers beer boycott showed that Australians were being targeted in their workplaces.

York said it had been unfair for people to target Coopers beer, “just because it happened to be sitting on the table.”

The spokesperson suggested that the beer manufacturer had no involvement in the discussion that politicians Tim Wilson and Andrew Hastie were having. York said they could have just as easily been chatting while drinking Tetley’s Tea or Pura milk.

Sophie York told Gareth Parker that the majority of the world supported the Marriage Alliance’s view that marriage is only between a man and a woman.

“Marriage is between a man and a woman, that’s been a timeless cross-cultural concept in the history of humankind. It’s been a very good thing, humans came up with it organically, naturally, and it was to form families with a mother and a father.” York said.

“Until recently this has been absolutely respected in the world, and in the west, and the majority of countries in the world still honour this fact about what marriage actually is.”

The Marriage Alliance is a lobby group that campaigns against marriage equality, arguing that there would be significant consequences to society if same sex couples were allowed to wed.

Their advertising campaigns have included a campaign that depicted the issue as a giant iceberg, a Father’s Day video filled with dubious statistics that suggested children without a father were more likely to become murderers and rapists, and a an advertisement featuring a women with a rainbow noose around her neck.

Graeme Watson

The post Marriage Alliance says Airbnb ring campaign is subliminal bullying appeared first on OUTinPerth.

Joe Francis voices opposition to Safe Schools

Liberal MP Joe Francis appeared on Perth radio station 6PR earlier this week saying politicians should always tell the truth, but advocates for the Safe Schools anti-bullying program say Francis and other Liberal MP’s are not being honest when they describe the program.

Labor and The Greens have promised to fund the program which provides professional development to teachers so they can ensure LGBTI high school students are not bullied. The Liberal party say they will not fund the program if elected to a third term in government. Previously the program has been federally funded.

Francis, who holds the seat of Jandakot, posted a video to his Facebook page proclaiming the Safe Schools program is the one issue that people need to hear about ahead of Saturday’s state election.

In the video the Minister for Emergency Services, Veterans, Fisheries and Corrective Services said the Safe Schools Coalition program is being delivered to four year old children.

“I’ll never accept that it is okay to teach a child as young as four that they can choose, and change, their gender on a daily basis and that they can lose their virginity twice, once to a boy and once to a girl, and you as a parent cannot opt out of this.”

Advocates say the video shows the MP’s ignorance

Advocates fighting the keep the anti-bulling program in schools have described the politicians claims as inaccurate, and simply scare tactics in the final days of the election campaign.

The Save Safe Schools campaign is comprised of local community members who advocate for the program to continue.

“Save Safe Schools WA strongly condemns the spreading of ignorance and innuendo. It has become apparent that political candidates who are attacking the Safe Schools Coalition have done little to no research beyond what they have heard from colleagues.

“SSSWA encourages all people who have questions or issues with the Safe Schools Program to familiarise themselves with the Safe Schools resources, available from online rather than relying on hearsay.

“If politicians cannot take the time to learn for themselves, how can they represent those in their electorate on this issue? There are vulnerable people in their community who deserve better from their local member.” a spokesperson for the group said.

Southern River’s Peter Abetz also claims the program is aimed at children

Francis is not the only Liberal MP voicing opposition to the program. Southern River MLA Peter Abetz, a long standing opponent of the program has also posted a video.

In his video Abetz also says the program is contains information directed a young children. Abetz highlights the book The Gender Fairy by Jo Hirst, describing it as “radical gender ideology'”  Abetz said the Safe Schools program encourages four-year-old children to be read the book.

This morning Matthew Knott at The Sydney Morning Herald filed a report after spending a day with Abetz on the campaign trail, noting that the MP was handing out several different flyers outside Gosnells’ primary schools, including flyers arguing against the Safe Schools program.

One of the flyers reportedly contained the message ‘An Important Safety Warning About Our Kids‘. As OUTinPerth reported earlier this week voter’s letterboxes have been inundated with flyers opposing the Safe Schools program.

Abetz said while the topic was a marginal issue in the election campaign he hoped to change that by drawing more attention to the program.

Premier Colin Barnett recently voiced his opposition to the program’s materials, but said he’d never read them.

“Can I say in relation to the Safe Schools program, to my knowledge of it, and I’ve never read the material, but I’ve heard fellow members of parliament describing it.

“To me it encourages experimentation, promiscuity, to very young children, getting right down into primary schools,” Premier Barnett said at a forum organised by the Australian Christian Lobby.

“I don’t think in any way that it what should happen in our schools, and I don’t think you can have situations where boys, or even their parents could think that they’ve got the right to use the girls toilets and things like that. That’s not part of the Australian way.” Barnett said.

Safe Schools organisers say the claims are not accurate

In Western Australia the delivery of the program is managed by the WA AIDS Council. Chief Executive Andrew Burry told OUTinPerth the program is an important resource for teachers.

“The Safe Schools program is simply professional development for teachers and allied staff and is implemented at schools, only through the principal, through consultation with their parent body.”

Despite the claims from both politicians, the program has only ever been rolled out in high schools in Western Australia, and locally it has never been made available to four-year-old children.

Administrators of the program have confirmed to OUTinPerth that the material suggesting people have “two virginities” is not part of the program, and there are no references to people being able to change their gender daily.

It is believed the material Francis refers to about “two virginities” is from the eastern states based organisation, Minus18. Following a review conducted in 2016 by UWA”s Professor Bill Louden, the Safe Schools curriculum does not include any links to this organisation.

Nor is the book The Gender Fairy part of the program’s materials. Author Jo Hirst has previously spoken out about her frustration that conservative groups, including the Australian Christian Lobby, continually link her book to the program.

In July last year, Hirst expressed her outrage that the claim had been made in flyers from the Australian Christian Lobby during the federal election.

“I am extremely angry and upset that a book I wrote for my son and transgender children to feel more normal and comfortable at school is being used in such a nasty way in a political campaign,” Hirst told The Sydney Morning Herald. The Australian Christian Lobby insisted the book is part of the program.

The National Office of the Safe Schools program also rubbished the claims made by the MPs.

“As a capacity building program aimed at educators, the Safe Schools Coalition Australia (SSCA) program delivers free, approved support services and resources to educators to equip them with the knowledge and skills to make their classrooms more inclusive for LGBTI young people.” a Safe Schools spokesperson told OUTinPerth.

“This includes the revised All of Us resource, which will be used where deemed appropriate by educators and is the only approved in-classroom resource. None of SSCA’s approved resources state or suggest that people have two virginities, nor that gender can change daily.”

The spokesperson said on a national level there have been times that the organisation has responded to requests for help from primary schools.

“SSCA continues to support secondary schools as its main focus. We also respond to requests from primary school educators for assistance, such as support, advice and staff training in meeting the needs of their students and school communities.

“Participation in SSCA is voluntary. School leadership are best placed to make decisions about what is appropriate in a school environment, and of course parents should also make decisions about what they want for their children’s education.” the spokesperson said.

Graeme Watson

Joe Francis was approached for comment by OUTinPerth but did not respond before our publication deadline.   

The post Liberal MP Joe Francis called out over Safe Schools claims appeared first on OUTinPerth.

Speaking to 6PR’s new drive time host Oliver Peterson, Eldridge said the tweets from the account named ‘Ned Kelly’ were usually sent while the ABC’s program Q&A was screening.

He explained that the tweets were meant to stir up trouble but he said he had not intended for them to be taken seriously.

Eldridge had previously described his comments as “locker room talk’ evoking a defence previously used by US President Donald Trump.

I unequivocally apologise. I don’t believe in any of them. It was a satirical account I opened up. A lot of them are re-tweets,” he said.

WA Today has reported that while Eldridge admits that he wrote the tweets they were not published in his name and he had intended them to be satirical.

Among the offensive remarks were descriptions of same sex relationships as “poo games” and a suggestion that if marriage equality was achieved wedding certificates for gay couples should be called “poof proof certificates”.

Concern was also raised about comments made about indigenous Australians and Muslim people.

Eldridge said these comments were not a representation of how he felt about members of the LGBTI community, sharing that he even knows a lady from the gym who is a lesbian.

His comments are just one recent example where candidates from Pauline Hanson’s One Nation have been revealed to have made homophobic or racist comments.

Lynn MacLaren, The Greens MLC who is standing for the same South Metro region as Eldridge, said the comments were a clear indication that One Nation should not be given a space in the WA parliament.

“As a society, we show zero tolerance for this kind of language and behaviour in our schools, in our laws and in most institutions, social circles and work places,” Ms MacLaren said.

“So we should not accept it for a moment among people who aspire to public office.” MacLaren said.

Eldrigde told 6PR that at the start of the campaign One Nation candidates had been told to go through their social media accounts and delete anything that might be considered offensive.

Fellow candidates Michelle Meyers and Ross Slater might not have got the memo.

Graeme Watson

The post One Nation's Richard Eldridge apologies for offensive comments appeared first on OUTinPerth.